Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted it was Ollie Watkins's responsibility to explain his absence from a thumping 4-0 Premier League loss away to Brighton on Sunday.
Villa began their 2026/27 English top-flight campaign without a recognised striker at the Amex Stadium following reports England international Watkins is pushing for a move to Al Hilal.
British media reports indicate Europa League champions Villa have rejected at least four bids from the Saudi Pro League club for Watkins.
"This question is for him. I can't answer," Emery told a post-match press conference when asked about Watkins's omission from the team. "I can answer only with my silence."
Questioned over whether Watkins, 30, had refused to play, Emery replied: "I think you can call him, you can call his agent, and he can respond. It's not my responsibility."
Watkins has scored 108 times in 278 appearances for Villa since joining from Brentford in 2020, including nine goals in 11 games against Brighton.
But without him, Villa were 4-0 down in just over the opening half hour on the south coast following Victor Lindelof's own goal, a close-range finish from Maxim De Cuyper and two goals in quick succession from Jack Hinshelwood.
Villa's afternoon went from bad to worse when Joao Gomes –– a summer transfer window signing from Wolves –- was sent off on his league debut five minutes before halftime for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.
The Birmingham club have seen several players leave since winning the Europa League and qualifying for the Champions League through a fourth-placed finish last season.
Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers have all been sold, while there is ongoing speculation goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Watkins will join them in leaving Villa Park.
"We lost a very important three points, but it's something the last three years –- at the beginning until the transfer window finishes –- we had as well some problems, like we are having now," said Emery.