Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins ‘happy to stay’ at Aston Villa

Unai Emery insists Ollie Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa, who are reportedly considering a loan move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford.

Villa turned down a bid from Arsenal for England striker Watkins earlier this week, reported to be in the region of £60 million (€71 million).

And according to reports, Villa are interested in bringing in out-of-favour Rashford on loan before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Rashford has been frozen out of Ruben Amorim’s squad, with the United boss saying after Sunday’s win over Fulham he would rather select 63-year-old goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital.

United declined to comment on Villa’s reported interest in Rashford when contacted by the PA news agency, while Villa have been approached for comment.

Striker Jhon Duran has left Villa to join Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in a deal understood to be worth up to £71 million, but Emery says Watkins will be staying at Villa Park.

Aston Villa can confirm that Jhon Durán has joined Al Nassr for an undisclosed fee.

Everyone at Aston Villa would like to wish Jhon all the best in the next step of his professional career. pic.twitter.com/du26gbKUav

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2025

“Yes, he is happy to stay,” the Spaniard said. “You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.

“We talked with him and he is very focused on the message we have.

“The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment, he appreciates a lot how Aston Villa was always supporting him, helping him and when we joined him here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him.

“Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. The