England forward’s exit continues busy summer for VillaNews follows Emiliano Martínez moving to ChelseaAl-Hilal have signed Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, the two clubs announced on Sunday, as the 30-year-old striker ended a successful six-year spell with the Midlands club where he became their top scorer in the Premier League. The England international, who had two years left on his Villa contract, has moved for a reported £51m.Watkins signed a three-year contract as Al-Hilal acquired a proven goalscorer after he scored 21 goals in all competitions last season, including five goals in the Europa League as he helped deliver a European trophy to Unai Emery’s side. Continue reading...
Alonso sprang a surprise by naming Martinez in the starting line-up - less than four hours after his £7.5m move was confirmed by the club. It is a lifeline for Martinez, who turns 34 next week and fell out of favour at Aston Villa following a failed move to Juventus and the arrival of Japan's Zion Suzuki as Unai Emery's first-choice keeper. The World Cup winner's every catch was cheered on by the Stamford Bridge faithful during an assured display in goal, though he was unlucky to concede two of Brighton's three goals, his save landing on the feet of Yalcouye for the opener and then getting undone by Joao Pedro's own goal.
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