Villa 'don't have to sell top stars' as Watkins set to stay

VILLA are not under pressure to sell any of their prized assets in the final days of the summer transfer window.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

Reports continue to link Ollie Watkins with a move away from the club, but senior sources at Villa have told the Birmingham Mail that the forward will be staying.

Selling Watkins is simply not on Villa's agenda, as the club will once again be relying on his goals this season.

The England international scored 16 times in the Premier League last term, following a return of 19 goals in the top flight the year before.

Following Jacob Ramsey's £40 million move to Newcastle United, Villa have now generated around £285m in transfer sales since June 2024.

So the club does not need to sanction another major sale.

After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, the club put together a summer strategy to retain the players boss Unai Emery considers irreplaceable.