Unai Emery insisted Aston Villa won’t promote Ollie Watkins after Arsenal reportedly made a £60 million ($74 million) bid simply hours earlier than the England striker helped his workforce attain the Champions League final 16 on Wednesday.
Emery’s aspect survived a scare in opposition to Celtic to win 4-2 at a raucous Villa Park and seal automated qualification by way of an eighth place end within the league section.
That they had led by way of Morgan Rogers’ double within the first 5 minutes, however Adam Idah netted twice within the house of 145 seconds to haul Celtic degree simply earlier than half-time.
Watkins ignored the hypothesis over his future as he rescued Villa with a scientific second-half strike to revive their benefit.
The 29-year-old missed a penalty after his purpose, however Rogers accomplished the primary treble of his profession in stoppage time to make sure Villa progressed with out the necessity for a play-off.
Arsenal’s mooted strategy for Watkins was ill-timed from Villa’s viewpoint, given the importance of their conflict with the Scottish champions.
Reviews after the sport instructed Villa had snubbed Arsenal’s provide and Emery provided no incentive for the Gunners to extend their try to purchase a participant who has scored 11 instances in 32 video games this season.
“Watkins is our striker. I do know you wish to ask about it, however I instructed you, right now shouldn’t be the day,” a visibly annoyed Emery mentioned.
Arsenal are in search of a striker after Gabriel Jesus suffered a season-ending knee harm.
If Watkins, who joined Villa from Brentford in 2020, remains to be on the membership when the switch window closes on Monday, there seems to be a powerful likelihood that Jhon Duran will go away for Saudi Professional League aspect Al Nassr.
The Colombia striker has largely been used instead by Emery regardless of some spectacular performances this time period.
‘An enormous problem’
Requested about Duran’s future, Emery would not rule out promoting him in a reported £64 million deal.
“I do not know if Jhon Duran is leaving but when he’s, it’s excellent news for us as a result of he’s leaving as a result of it’s good cash,” the Spaniard mentioned.
“Tomorrow or Friday we will speak in regards to the switch. Till all the things is completed I do not wish to communicate, as a result of in soccer all the things can occur.
“The membership is working and making an attempt to compete within the switch window as a result of we want some gamers. Some can go away, however it’s not time to talk about it.”
Celtic had been already sure to achieve the play-off spherical after final week’s win over Younger Boys.
However Celtic’s hopes of avoiding one of many match’s giants had been dashed as they discovered holders Actual Madrid or Bayern Munich shall be their subsequent opponents.
Brendan Rodgers’ workforce have to attend till Friday’s draw to find which of the 2 European heavyweights blocks their path to a final 16 berth.
The Celtic boss conceded it will likely be an enormous process to beat both membership, however he believes they’re able to inflicting a seismic upset.
“We all know it is both Bayern Munich or Actual Madrid within the subsequent spherical, in order that’ll be an enormous problem,” Rodgers mentioned.
“It is what the gamers deserve for what they’ve given over the course of the eight video games.
“We’re constructing confidence and exhibiting we’re a workforce that may play and make it troublesome for the highest groups.”
Celtic have certified for the knock-out levels for the primary time in 12 years regardless of a humiliating 7-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund in October.
“Scotland will get a wee little bit of stick in its soccer. You may clearly see we now have groups who’ve braveness to play,” Rodgers mentioned.
“The phrase that strikes me for the time being is satisfaction. We’re nowhere close to the useful resource ranges of groups within the Premier League, however we will nonetheless be aggressive.”
