Aston Villa captain John McGinn appeared to send a pointed message to Ollie Watkins after his side suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brighton — insisting his job was to get the best out of the players who were actually there.
Watkins was the most notable absentee from Unai Emery’s squad for the opening Premier League fixture at the Amex, with his future at Villa Park increasingly uncertain amid interest from Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal.
The England striker’s absence came as Villa travelled to Brighton with their squad disrupted by the ongoing transfer saga.
Al Hilal’s interest in Watkins has cast doubt over his immediate future, and with negotiations continuing, the striker was left out of the squad for a match Villa would desperately have wanted him available for.
John McGinn took a sly pop at Ollie Watkins after the Aston Villa man was missing from the line-up to face Brighton
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They were left without one of their most important attacking players and endured a nightmare first half, conceding four goals before half-time. Joao Gomes was then sent off, leaving Villa with an almost impossible task of recovering from the damage.
Against that backdrop, McGinn’s comments on Watkins were particularly revealing.
“It’s a difficult one. He’s been an amazing player and a record goal scorer,” the Villa captain told Sky Sports. “My job as captain is to get the best out of all the players who are here today. It’s not easy coming here. I’m proud of the players that were here today and fought for the club.”
The words “the players who were here today” may have sounded innocuous, but given the circumstances, they carried considerable weight.
Watkins has been one of Villa’s most important players during their rise under Emery and has established himself as a record goalscorer for the club. Yet while Villa were being dismantled on the south coast, their leading striker was watching from the sidelines as speculation over his future continued to dominate the headlines.
McGinn was understandably furious with the manner of the defeat, apologising to travelling supporters who had spent time and money following Villa to the Amex.
Ollie Watkins is heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia this summer
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GETTY“We actually started the game very well, we had a chance to go ahead but playing at the highest level, you make a mistake, and the goals we conceded were poor,” he said. “We apologise to the supporters, it costs a lot of time and money to travel away.”
The skipper also defended Gomes after the midfielder’s dismissal, insisting Villa must help the new signing learn from his mistake rather than turn on him.
“We never punish people for getting sent off,” McGinn said. “He’s a player that plays on the edge… Our job as teammates is to protect him and make sure the same situation doesn’t happen again.”
Yet it was his comments about Watkins that may linger longest.
McGinn’s message was diplomatic, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. His responsibility, he made clear, was to those pulling on the shirt and fighting for Villa in the moment.
For Watkins, the situation could hardly be more uncomfortable. If Al Hilal’s interest eventually leads to a move, Villa will have to replace a striker who has been central to their progress under Emery.
Ollie Watkins could be the latest Villa player to leave this summer, as well as key stars like Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne
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PAAnd Brighton’s 4-0 demolition provided a stark reminder of what Villa could lose.
Whether Watkins returns to the fold or departs for Saudi Arabia, McGinn’s comments underline one simple reality: Aston Villa need players fully committed to the battle — and they need them quickly.
