Nassr, Arsenal have bid for Watkins - despite the build-up Villa held their nerve to claim place in round of 16

Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins. The Gunners have stepped up their search for a frontman in the January transfer window by turning their attention to England international Watkins, with the offer reported to be £60million.

Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Aston Villa for England striker Ollie Watkins; Watkins has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season; Gunners expected to return with i

Unai Emery has urged his Aston Villa players to become Champions League protagonists ahead of their final league phase match against Celtic on Wednesday.

Unai Emery has issued a warning to Arsenal, West Ham and any other club interested in signing Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran before the January transfer window closes. Duran was once again named on Villa’s bench on Sunday as England international Ollie Watkins started the Premier League clash against West Ham.

Unai Emery has said strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins being wanted by other clubs is a sign of Aston Villa’s recent successes. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

Unai Emery insists he does not want to lose Ollie Watkins and says Aston Villa will be ‘very demanding’ in any possible deal involving the striker after Arsenal’s failed £60m offer. The Gunners launched a stunning move for Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window but saw their opening bid worth £60m knocked back by Aston Villa.