Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted he cannot guarantee Ollie Watkins will remain at the club before the transfer window shuts, with Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal understood to have submitted formal offers for the striker.

Speaking ahead of Villa's Premier League opener at Brighton, Emery was candid about the situation. "We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him," he said. "I don't want to sell him but it can change because if it's a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have."

The Villa boss insisted he values Watkins highly, adding: "With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him. If he leaving it's because it is good for three ways — one is him, another is the club and another is the team."

A summer of departures at Villa Park

Watkins, 30, has netted 108 goals for Aston Villa since arriving from Brentford for £28 million in 2020, making him the club's all-time record scorer in the Premier League. His potential exit would mark another major departure following a turbulent summer at Villa Park.

Defender Ezri Konsa has already joined Arsenal in a £51 million deal, while midfielder Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for a club-record £117 million. Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also departed, meaning six players from the starting XI that lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy just two months ago could be gone if both Watkins and goalkeeper Emi Martinez leave.

Martinez stays put after Juventus deal falls apart

Martinez's proposed move to Juventus collapsed after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement on the transfer fee. In response, Villa moved swiftly to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30 million as their new first-choice goalkeeper.

Emery confirmed that Martinez will not feature in Sunday's Premier League opener at Brighton, having returned from a post-World Cup break with only one training session under his belt. The Argentina international goalkeeper's immediate future at the club therefore remains uncertain.

On Suzuki, Emery was enthusiastic: "We signed Suzuki not for the future but for now. He showed his capacity to get his performance to our level." The Villa manager also acknowledged Martinez's desire for a new challenge, noting that the goalkeeper had expressed similar feelings the previous season before ultimately staying and delivering an outstanding campaign.