{"id":259500,"date":"2026-08-25T18:10:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T18:10:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/25\/how-aston-villa-can-replace-watkins-by-signing-one-of-the-best-in-the-world\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T18:10:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T18:10:11","slug":"how-aston-villa-can-replace-watkins-by-signing-one-of-the-best-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/25\/how-aston-villa-can-replace-watkins-by-signing-one-of-the-best-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"How Aston Villa can replace Watkins by signing “one of the best in the world”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Aston Villa<\/a>\u2019s heavy 4-0 defeat away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday was one of the club\u2019s worst performances in recent memory, but it was also a cry for help from Unai Emery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The Spaniard was forced to name a hugely weakened side after the recent antics in the transfer market, which saw numerous players fail to capture the imagination.<\/p>\n

Joao Gomes endured a debut to forget after being dismissed, whilst centre-backs Pau Torres and Victor Lindelof certainly didn\u2019t cover themselves in glory.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>Reuters\/Jason Cairnduff<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Emi Buendia was tasked with operating in a false nine position, after one senior member of the Villans caused a stir within the fanbase after his antics prior to the game.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Why Aston Villa must sell Watkins before the end of the window<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Ollie Watkins<\/a> has been a fan favourite at Villa for many years, but the striker is now in serious jeopardy of tarnishing his reputation in the West Midlands.<\/p>\n

The Englishman, who\u2019s the club\u2019s all-time leading Premier League scorer, refused to feature in Sunday\u2019s defeat and remained at home and didn\u2019t travel to the AMEX Stadium.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Ollie-Watkins-Aston-Villa\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Emery was even asked about the 30-year-old\u2019s absence after the game and stated: \u201cThis question is for him. I can answer only with my silence. I think you call his agent and he can respond. He can only explain his answer, I can’t.”<\/p>\n

Despite returning to Bodymoor Heath on Monday, Watkins may well have burnt his bridges with the Villa faithful, with the club needing to move him on before the deadline.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Most PL goals for Aston Villa (2025\/26)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ollie Watkins<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Morgan Rogers<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Emi Buendia<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

John McGinn<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Donyell Malen<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Matty Cash<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ross Barkley<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Amadou Onana<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

It\u2019s evident he sees his future away from the West Midlands, and there\u2019s no point keeping hold of a player who simply does not have the desire to perform on a consistent basis.<\/p>\n

Watkins is also entering the final years of his professional career, and this summer could present the final opportunity to cash in and make a profit on their \u00a330m investment.<\/p>\n

Such funds could be used to make moves in the remaining days of the window, with Emery in desperate need of added reinforcements to help him in his quest for success.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n How Aston Villa can replace Watkins before the deadline<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Should Watkins be offloaded before the end of the summer transfer window, the need for added attacking reinforcements will undoubtedly increase massively.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old netted 21 goals across all competitions last campaign, with no player within Emery\u2019s senior ranks managing to find the net on more occasions.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Aston\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As a result, the hierarchy have started to draw up a list of potential additions, which has seen AC Milan winger Rafael Le\u00e3o<\/a> touted as one option to bolster the attacking department.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been reported by journalist Antonio Vitiello<\/a> that initial conversations between the Villans and Italian giants have been held to gain further understanding of a deal.<\/p>\n

However, despite the aforementioned interest in the Portuguese attacker, no formal offer has yet been presented, but talks are said to be ongoing at present.<\/p>\n