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
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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."



Saudi Crown Prince Receives Paralympic Athlete Al-Qurashi after Winning Gold Medal at Paris Games

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Saudi national paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Saudi national paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Paralympic Athlete Al-Qurashi after Winning Gold Medal at Paris Games

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Saudi national paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, receives Saudi national paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received in Jeddah on Monday Saudi national paralympic athlete Abdulrahman Al-Qurashi on the occasion of his gold medal victory at the Paris Paralympic Games.

The Crown Prince congratulated Al-Qurashi on his achievement and continued success on the international stage, stressing that such accomplishments serve as motivation for all Saudi athletes, both men and women, to strive further toward their goals and raise the Kingdom’s flag at future global events.

Al-Qurashi expressed his sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to the Crown Prince for this reception, which he described as a source of great pride and a true reflection of the generous support and attention given to all Saudi athletes.

Al-Qurashi had previously won the bronze medal at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in Japan.

The reception was attended by Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz.

Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed received the Minister of Sport, Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) President Yasser Almisehal, Al-Ahli Saudi Club Chairman Khalid Al-Issa, along with the club’s staff and players, on the occasion of their victory of the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite.

The Crown Prince congratulated Al-Ahli Club officials and players on their remarkable achievement and outstanding performance, which reflect the progress of the Kingdom’s sports sector.  

He underscored the importance of continuing their hard work to further elevate the Kingdom’s reputation on the global stage.