Ollie Watkins says he never imagined Aston Villa career ending with £51m move to Al-Hilal

Ollie Watkins says he never imagined or intended his Aston Villa career to "end this way" after completing his £51m move to Al-Hilal.

The 30-year-old striker, Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, joins the Saudi Pro League side on a three-year deal.

The England international made himself unavailable for Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend, which Unai Emery said Watkins apologised for.

"Firstly, I would like to say, never did I intend, nor did I imagine, my time at Aston Villa would end this way," Watkins posted on social media.

"With that being said, I am eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person.

"We've been through so many ups and downs in my six seasons here, but one thing that has never changed is that I have given everything for this club."

In six years at Villa, Watkins played a crucial role in the club's rise under manager Emery as they established themselves as regular top-six challengers and won the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.

Emery said he had "small tears" as he said goodbye to the "fantastic" Watkins - the latest in a series of Villa exits this summer, with Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Emiliano Martinez all departing.

At Al-Hilal, Watkins joins Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who departed West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League, while Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is set to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a medical with the club.

"From my first goals in the 7-2 win over Liverpool to getting the club back into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night in Istanbul and becoming Villa's record Premier League goalscorer," he added.

"It is an achievement that I never thought would be possible when I signed for the club.

"I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my time here, Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and especially Unai Emery for always believing in me.

"My two children were born here, and to see them walk on to the pitch and see you fans sing my name in front of them and my family is something that will always stay with me forever.

"Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa."