Ollie Watkins completes big money Al Hilal move ‘with a heavy heart’ | OneFootball

Ollie Watkins has offered his thanks to Aston Villa supporters "from the bottom of my heart" after completing a three-year deal with Al Hilal.

The England international finalised a £50million transfer to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, making him the latest high-profile departure from Villa Park this summer. It follows his absence from Villa’s season opener last week, which resulted in a 4-0 defeat to Brighton.

The departure ends a six-year tenure at Villa, where Watkins became the team’s record Premier League scorer with 91 top-flight goals and helped guide them to Europa League victory last season.

“Firstly, I’d like to say never did I intend, nor did I imagine my time at Aston Villa would end this way,” Watkins said in a video posted on Instagram.

“With that being said I’m eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person. We’ve been through so many ups and downs during my six seasons here.

“But one thing that has never changed is that I’ve given everything for this club. From my first goals in the 7-2 win against Liverpool, getting the club back into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night in Istanbul.”

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Ollie Watkins was part of Villa’s Europa League-winning side last season (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)

After thanking his three managers at Villa Park – Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and Unai Emery – Watkins added: “It’s time for a new chapter that I’m excited about. However, I close this chapter with a heavy heart. Villa will always mean so much to me. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart.”

A Villa statement said: “Capable of scoring different types of goals with a ruthless streak, allied to a selfless work ethic for his team’s benefit, Watkins leaves Villa having played his part in our UEFA Europa League victory and with the very best wishes of everyone at the football club.”

Watkins is the third England international to leave Villa this summer following Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa, while fellow first-team regulars Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Martinez and Lucas Digne have also departed.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery needs new squad to settle in quickly

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says his overhauled squad have to hit the ground running.

Villa’s Europa League winning team has been ripped apart this summer as Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Ollie Watkins have all left.

Nicolas Jackson, Leon Goretzka, Johan Manzambi and Alejandro Garnacho are among those who have arrived and Emery needs his new men to bed in quickly.

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery saw his side heavily beaten by Brighton (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)

They lost last weekend’s Premier League opener 4-0 at Brighton and things do not get any easier as Villa host champions Arsenal at Villa Park on Monday.

“In football, if you are expecting transition, maybe you are not in the right way,” Emery said.

“We must compete, we must win. We have to rebuild the team as fast as possible; we have to accept our way, our decisions, and why we are taking some decisions, but I am positive, and we are working.

“At the same time, rebuilding the team with the players, they can understand how we want to play, and trying to give some necessary time for some players to adapt to us.

“Of course, some players, they will need more time than others, and the players, they are with us for a long time.

“They must compete now, strong, and of course with all the ideas we were building, and trying to adapt the new players as fast as possible.

“For example, last week, we played with 10 players – they were here last year. The only player that was not, was Joao Gomes. This is the objective.

“Of course, we didn’t perform, we didn’t compete, and we must do everything faster, and the next challenge is on Monday, and the Premier League is not waiting.

“There are 38 matches to play, points to play for. We have lost the first match with those three points, and Monday, hopefully, Villa Park is like how we always felt there – supporting, playing with us, and we will need them again.”

Jackson will be reunited with Emery after their time together at Villarreal and the Senegalese is looking forward to renewing their relationship.

He (Emery) was a big factor when I arrived in Spain,” Jackson said on the club’s official website.

“He’s been very important to me since the beginning; he’s always asking about my family. He developed me in Villarreal, and I’m very happy to be here and working for him again.

“We will work and try to push together as always, trying to achieve things together like we did in Villarreal.

“Hopefully this year we will achieve many things, and for many more years to come as well.”