---
title: "Aston Villa face Ollie Watkins decision before Brighton opener"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/22/aston-villa-face-ollie-watkins-decision-before-brighton-opener/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Transfer News"
published: "2026-08-22T15:15:00Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T11:48:41Z"
---

# Aston Villa face Ollie Watkins decision before Brighton opener

**Ollie Watkins remains in contention to lead Aston Villa’s attack against Brighton on Sunday despite uncertainty surrounding his future at Villa Park. Unai Emery has confirmed Villa have received offers for the striker, but there has been no indication that Watkins has been ruled out of the Premier League opener.**

Villa travel to the Amex Stadium for their first league game of the season with Watkins’ future dominating the build-up.

Al-Hilal remain in talks over a deal for the England international, with Villa already [rejecting an improved £45million offer for Watkins](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/21/aston-villa-reject-45m-watkins-bid-as-striker-pushes-for-al-hilal-move/).

> Aston Villa have rejected a fresh bid from Al Hilal for Ollie Watkins, who is pushing for a move to the Saudi Pro League club.\
> \
> Al Hilal’s fourth and most recent offer for the striker was worth around £45m ($61.4m).\
> \
> Watkins, 30, has made it clear to Villa that he wants to make…
>
> — The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) [August 21, 2026](https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2090792082080227723?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Will Ollie Watkins play against Brighton?

For now, Watkins appears available for selection.

Aston Villa confirmed on Friday that Emery would assess his squad on Saturday before deciding on his team for Brighton. The club have not listed Watkins as an injury concern or said that transfer negotiations will prevent him from featuring.

Speaking about the striker’s future, Emery also made his own preference clear. [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13575451/transfer-latest-unai-emery-i-dont-want-to-sell-him-but-villa-have-received-offers-for-ollie-watkins) reported that the Villa boss said he did not want to sell Watkins, while acknowledging that the situation could still change after offers arrived.

Unless negotiations accelerate before kick-off, that leaves Watkins firmly in the conversation to start at the Amex.

His involvement would be significant. Watkins has an excellent record against Brighton, and Read Aston Villa has already looked at how [Villa’s recent dominance of the Seagulls could give Emery an opening-day advantage](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/22/aston-villas-dominant-brighton-record-gives-emery-major-opening-day-weapon/).

Villa are preparing for the possibility of losing their No.11, with enquiries being made over alternatives including [Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/08/22/aston-villa-make-zirkzee-enquiry-as-watkins-replacement-search-widens/).

For Sunday, though, Watkins remains a Villa player. Unless a transfer breakthrough changes the picture, Emery must now decide whether the striker should lead the line while speculation over his future continues.