Villa boss Emery says it's down to Watkins to explain absence

Yahoo Sports·August 23, 2026 at 5:18 PM+2

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted it was Ollie Watkins's responsibility to explain his absence from a thumping 4-0 Premier League loss away to Brighton on Sunday.But without him, Villa were 4-0 down in just over the opening half hour on the south coast following Victor Lindelof's own goal, a close-range finish from Maxim De Cuyper and two goals in quick succession from Jack Hinshelwood.

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Villa boss Emery says it's down to Watkins to explain absence

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