The Birmingham Mail's Ashley Preece has delivered an update on Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins amid speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal.

What's the story?

Reports in recent days had suggested that Mikel Arteta's side are interested in both Watkins and Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin as they look to revamp their attack over the coming transfer windows.

But now, Preece has given a very reassuring update on where things actually stand with Villa, Arsenal and Watkins.

He said: "Elsewhere, I'm told there's nothing in yesterday's reports linking Arsenal with a move for Ollie Watkins."

Villa fans will be delighted

After joining from Brentford in the summer of 2020, Watkins enjoyed a superb debut campaign in the Premier League, scoring 14 times in the top-flight and bagging against the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal too.

And when suggestions initially emerged that Jurgen Klopp's side were actually interested in signing Watkins in the summer transfer window just gone by, former Villa star, Lee Hendrie, exclusively told FFC: "If you're going to start selling those players to the bigger clubs, how are you meant to compete? I get that you're possibly going to get £60m for someone, but then who do you go and buy that's going to replace Ollie Watkins?

"You've got to go and spend decent money on someone to go and bring him in and then it could possibly be a gamble."

The fact reports claimed Arsenal are also keen on Watkins is a real indication of just how much he has progressed at Villa Park, and Villa fans will no doubt have been worried that he might have been tempted with a move to the Emirates - he has previously admitted to seeing an Arsenal move as a dream.

But, Preece's update that the Gunners link is mere speculation and nothing else should delight the club's supporters.

Meanwhile, there's a huge Aston Villa boost over this star...