Watkins' departure would cut deepest - and Villa did not see it coming

Aston Villa have been here before.

Last year, it was Emi Martinez looking to leave for Manchester United. When asked about the Argentina goalkeeper's absence from last season's opening league match against Crystal Palace, head coach Unai Emery just repeated replacement Marco Bizot's name several times.

Twelve months on, for their Premier League opener at Brighton on Sunday, Ollie Watkins was the name to make Emery bristle.

"This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence," he said, when asked why the striker was not included.

That Villa lost 4-0 - conceding all four in a calamitous opening 31 minutes before having debutant Joao Gomes sent off - merely added to the perceived insult.

Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have had four offers rejected for Watkins - whose time at Villa now appears to be at a tumultuous end.

Al-Hilal, who have offered close to £40m, are not near to Aston Villa's asking price. As next Tuesday's transfer deadline nears, Villa will play hardball for their all-time record Premier League goalscorer.

A deal is still believed to be some way off, even if Emery revealed last week the striker could leave.

Al-Hilal, who signed Crysensio Summerville from West Ham in July, are likely to need to move one of their overseas players to make room for Watkins, despite loaning Darwin Nunez to Diriyah last week, so there are other moving parts in the deal.

Watkins has been training on his own, having returned from an extended break following the World Cup and is understood to have made his feelings clear to the Villa hierarchy about moving.

There have been no public comments from Watkins or his representatives but he is understood to be open to the move.

They have also kept quiet about Emery's response - particularly his enigmatic "silence" answer to Sky Sports' question on why his striker was not involved at Brighton, which appeared to lay the blame at Watkins' door.

Another unanswered question is whether Villa see the Saudi money for a striker turning 31 in December - and who had been in and out of Emery's team last season - as a good deal.

Perhaps the very real pain at this potential break-up is the reason for the difficulties.

The 30-year-old has 108 goals in 278 games for Villa after joining from Brentford for a then-record £28m and has been synonymous with Villa's rise of the past six years.

The triumphant night in Istanbul, when Watkins helped Villa end their 30-year wait for a trophy as they beat Freiburg to win the Europa League, currently stand as a crowning glory.

His departure would be the most emotional of this summer's big exits - as while Ezri Konsa's influence was crucial, Watkins' goals, work-rate and nature made him one of Villa's poster boys.

He is a grounded and family-orientated individual who enjoys the occasional game of golf but always focuses on his football.

But he has been in this position before, although at a lower level.

Having initially been left out by Paul Tisdale at Exeter amid interest from Derby in 2017, he pleaded with the manager to play and came off the bench to score in a win against Wycombe.

Given he has that attitude and desire, those at Villa are surprised at how the relationship with Watkins is ending. It was not expected to be like this.

Had it been someone different, a player who had previously not been a manager's dream to work with, Emery's response might have been more indifferent.

Villa's transfer trouble before deadline

Along with Watkins, Villa must resolve Martinez's future after a second summer of discontent from the Argentina international.

A move to Juventus fell through earlier this month, as they were unwilling to meet Villa's financial demands, and a solution must be found for the 33-year-old after the signing of Zion Suzuki to become the club's number one.

Signing a striker to replace Watkins will be harder than sourcing Konsa's replacement - on which Villa are already working, having had two bids rejected by Southampton for Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

Brian Madjo's availability, after VIlla won their battle against Fifa to register him, gives Emery an additional option, although at 17 the striker cannot be expected to carry the burden.

Villa have been open to letting Tammy Abraham leave but Watkins' increasingly likely departure will have an impact on that thinking.

Striker Abraham, who joined from Besiktas in January, has not been looking for any Villa Park exit and remains happy at the club.