Ollie Watkins scored on his Al-Hilal debut in Saudi Arabia after agitating for a move away from Aston Villa.
The England international headed home for his new side in a 3-0 win over 10-man Al-Ahli on Tuesday night.
Watkins had only signed three days earlier for £51million and has hit the ground running for former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi.
He came on as a substitute at half-time and nodded a low header past Edouard Mendy in the 86th minute.
Billed as a contest between the two back-up England strikers in Watkins and Ivan Toney, it was the 30-year-old former Villa man who came out on top having aggravated supporters of his old club in angling for the move.
Watkins appeared to be refusing to train in order to force a move after Villa had rejected four offers from Al-Hilal last week.
Ollie Watkins scored on his Al-Hilal debut after pushing for the move from Aston Villa
It was understood Watkins was neither ill nor injured and speaking after Villa’s 4-0 opening day defeat by Brighton on Watkins’ position, Emery answered: ‘This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence.’
Asked whether Watkins was refusing to play, Emery said: ‘I think you can call him, you can call his agent and he can respond.
‘He can only explain his answer, I can’t. We had two strikers injured and another striker – it’s his answer.’
And, following those comments, several Villa supporters hit out at Watkins.
Commenting on photos of him and his wife Ellie on her Instagram account, one fan said: ‘Ellie please don’t let Ollie leave please.’
Another added: ‘Tell Ollie to not leave,’ with a further fan saying: ‘The kids are better in England. Please don’t go.’
On Watkins’ post of his family holiday in the Bahamas, several Villa supporters also commented by posting multiple snake emojis.
Another shared: ‘Congrats on selling your soul Ollie,’ before a further supporter said: ‘Respect totally gone.’
Watkins, pictured with his wife Ellie, appeared to anger Villa boss Unai Emery with the way he conducted himself prior to the move
A further infuriated fan added: ‘Saudi? Why bro?’
Emery lamented the difficulty of dealing with the start of the season with the transfer window still open and Villa lost their second game of the season 1-0 against Arsenal on Monday night.
Emery said: ‘In the last three years, until the transfer window closes, we have had problems like we are having now. The players have the mentality I want – not complaining, not blaming, and trying to be patient, even with results.
‘We have had this problem (with the window) every season and we overcame it. But it’s something hard for us every year.’
