Unai Emery said he can only address the absence of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa's defeat against Brighton by "silence."
Watkins wasn't in the squad as Villa were comprehensively beaten 4-0 in their first game of the Premier League season.
He has been linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League but, rather than provide an explanation for the England striker's absence, Emery instead insisted he should not the person questioned about it.
"This question is for him," Emery responded to Sky Sports who asked about Watkins.
"Can you call him and [put] the question to him?"
It was put to Emery that Watkins decided himself to sit out Villa's league opener.
"Ask him," Emery replied. "I can only answer it by silence."
The Villa boss added: "The players that are here, they showed it, their commitment. It was fantastic. This is the way. Of course, losing, but this is the way."
Watkins has scored 91 goals in 221 Premier League appearances for Villa, and started the Europa League final last season against Freiburg which they won 3-0 to bring a European trophy home. He has established himself as a regular for England and was picked in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad.
Emery cryptically said: "We've had it before here. We've had it in different moments.
"In four years we've had it maybe five times in different circumstances. But we are going forwards, moving always forward.
"My responsibility is to analyse and to find solutions. For the transfer window we have 10 days to find solutions. Then, of course, we have to find solutions with the players we have."
Villa have lost Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa while newcomer João Gomes was sent off on his debut in a miserable outing against Brighton.
He became the first player to receive a first-half red card on his Premier League debut for a club in more than 14 years. The Brazil international -- a summer signing from Wolves -- was sent off in the 40th minute of Villa's 4-0 hammering at Brighton for kicking out at Georginio Rutter.
Former QPR midfielder Samba Diakite was the last player to suffer a similar fate, having been dismissed for two bookable offences in a 1-0 loss to Fulham in February 2012.
It was a forgettable outing overall for Gomes. The 25-year-old conceded possession on the edge of his own 18-yard box before Jack Hinshelwood scored Brighton's fourth goal with just 31 minutes played.
- Brilliant Brighton batter dreadful Aston Villa
- Premier League 2026 summer transfers: All confirmed ins, outs for every club
It was a bow which rekindled memories of Jonathan Woodgate's first appearance for Real Madrid in September 2005. The defender headed spectacularly into his own net in the 25th minute of a match against Athletic Bilbao before he was sent off for a second yellow card midway through the second half. At least he, though, had the consolation of knowing his side won the game.
Gomes was offered words of comfort by manager Emery as he exited the pitch, but will now miss games against champions Arsenal, newly promoted Hull and Nottingham Forest due to a three-match ban.
Press Association contributed to this report.