Ollie Watkins is set to leave Aston Villa for Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a £50 million transfer, bringing an end to one of the most successful spells of the England striker’s career.
The 30-year-old has agreed to join Al Hilal after five-and-a-half years at Aston Villa, where he established himself as the club’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer.
Watkins scored 91 Premier League goals for Villa and 108 goals in all competitions after joining from Brentford in 2020.
His departure represents one of the biggest changes to Unai Emery’s squad this summer, with Villa already having lost several important players as the club reshapes its squad ahead of the new Premier League season.
Why is Ollie Watkins leaving Aston Villa?
Watkins’ departure comes after a difficult summer for Aston Villa, who have been forced to make significant changes to their squad while managing their financial position.
The striker did not feature in Villa’s opening Premier League match of the season, a 4-0 victory over Brighton, with Emery subsequently confirming that Watkins had apologised to the club for missing the game.
Watkins is now set to continue his career in Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, ending his time at Villa Park after more than 200 appearances for the club.
The England international became a key figure under Emery and was instrumental in Villa’s rise back into European competition.
His goals helped Villa qualify for the Champions League and reach the quarter-finals of the competition during the 2024/25 season.
Aston Villa prepare Nicolas Jackson replacement
Villa have moved quickly to address the loss of their leading Premier League goalscorer.
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson is expected to arrive at Villa as part of the club’s attacking rebuild.
The move would give Emery a recognised Premier League striker to replace Watkins, although Jackson’s arrival will inevitably come with pressure given the contribution Watkins made during his time in Birmingham.
Jackson scored 30 goals in 92 appearances for Chelsea and has previously demonstrated his ability to play both as a central striker and from wider attacking positions.
Villa have also brought in former Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer as they continue to reshape the squad.
Watkins leaves as Aston Villa legend
Watkins’ record at Aston Villa places him among the most important players in the club’s recent history.
He became the first Villa player to reach 90 Premier League goals and overtook Gabriel Agbonlahor as the club’s leading scorer in the competition.
His consistency in front of goal was a major factor behind Villa’s transformation under Emery.
When the Spaniard arrived at Villa Park, the club were battling near the bottom of the Premier League. Within two seasons, they had qualified for the Champions League.
Watkins was at the centre of that transformation.
His pace, movement and ability to press from the front made him a crucial part of Emery’s tactical approach, while his goals provided Villa with a reliable source of attacking output.
Aston Villa’s summer rebuild continues
Watkins’ departure is part of a much wider overhaul at Aston Villa.
The club have already sanctioned major transfers involving players including Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Youri Tielemans, while goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is also expected to leave for Chelsea.
Villa have nevertheless reinvested in the squad, with Jackson expected to arrive alongside a number of other additions.
The club’s financial situation means Emery has had to balance strengthening his team with generating significant transfer income.
Watkins’ £50m move provides another major injection of funds but leaves Villa without the player who has scored more Premier League goals for the club than anyone else.
The challenge for Emery will now be replacing that production.
With the Premier League season already underway, Villa will have little time to allow their new-look attack to settle.
The arrival of Jackson could prove crucial as Emery attempts to maintain Villa’s progress while overseeing one of the biggest squad rebuilds of his tenure.
For Watkins, meanwhile, the move represents a new chapter after establishing himself as one of the most prolific English strikers of the Premier League era.
His Aston Villa legacy is secure, but his next challenge will be to reproduce that goalscoring form in the Saudi Pro League.