Emery Resigned to Duran Exit, but Urges Villa to Keep Hold of Watkins

Soccer Football - Champions League - Aston Villa v Celtic - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - January 29, 2025 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Champions League - Aston Villa v Celtic - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - January 29, 2025 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
TT

Emery Resigned to Duran Exit, but Urges Villa to Keep Hold of Watkins

Soccer Football - Champions League - Aston Villa v Celtic - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - January 29, 2025 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Soccer Football - Champions League - Aston Villa v Celtic - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - January 29, 2025 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Despite Aston Villa sealing a Champions League last-16 spot on Wednesday, coach Unai Emery faced questions on the futures of Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, with the Spaniard adamant he wants to keep one forward, while appearing resigned to losing another.

Ahead of kick off, several British media outlets reported Premier League title chasers Arsenal had bid for Villa marksman Watkins.

Watkins went on to score a decisive third goal before missing a penalty against Celtic as Villa sealed a top-eight finish in the Champions League first round, but the result was not top of reporters' agenda post match, Reuters reported.

"I don't want (to sell Watkins)," Emery told reporters. "It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

"Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.

"If he (Duran) leaves it's good news for us because they're paying good money and we developed him in two years. A fantastic young player, I was always trying to help him with my advice. But the player has the objective and ambition and if he leaves it is because he prefers to go another way in his career."

Emery expressed his frustration at the timing of these stories on Villa's big night, sealing an impressive end to the league phase of their first campaign back in Europe's premier club competition since 1982-83.

Morgan Rogers' hat-trick sealed a 4-2 success for Villa, who now skip the playoff round and head straight for the last 16.

"We have a lot of speculation around the players in the squad but they're showing us they are mature and responsible with these performances," Emery added.

"We are very proud of our work this year. The Premier League is very difficult to get into the Champions League because there are a lot of strong teams who are contenders.

"But it's very important how we got here, from where we started."



Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
TT

Spurs Midfielder Maddison Silences Critics with Winner Against Man United 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - February 16, 2025 Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison celebrates scoring their first goal. (Action Images via Reuters)

James Maddison delivered the perfect riposte to his doubters by scoring the winning goal against Manchester United after the Tottenham Hotspur midfielder had come in for some stinging criticism in the lead-up to Sunday's Premier League match.

Making his first start since suffering a calf injury in December, Maddison tapped in a rebound from close range to give his side a 1-0 win in London, celebrating his goal with a shushing gesture.

Earlier in the week, former Manchester United captain Roy Keane had said anyone who thought Maddison's return to the side would help Spurs break into the top six was living in "cuckoo land."

"He got relegated with Leicester and he'll get relegated with Spurs," Keane said on "The Overlap" podcast.

"There was a little bit of outside noise this week," Maddison, who joined Spurs from Leicester City in 2023, told Sky Sports.

"People will have their opinions, but I wanted to do my talking on the pitch. I hope there is a certain few that enjoyed me being the match-winner today.

"Nobody is more critical of myself than me," he added.

"To be fair to the gaffer, he always talks about blocking out the outside noise, but sometimes it's difficult, you know. It's constantly in your face, social media and WhatsApp."

Despite the win Spurs remain in the bottom half of the table, sitting in 12th spot on 30 points after 25 games. They visit Ipswich Town on Saturday.