Ollie Watkins led the line for Aston Villa in their Champions League tie with Celtic after the club rejected a £60million bid from Arsenal for the striker.

BirminghamLive understands Villa are furious by the timing of the leak of Arsenal's bid just hours before their crucial European tie. Despite seeing their offer rebuffed, the Mail claims Arsenal are expected to make an 'improved attempt' in the final days of the winter transfer window.

Mikel Arteta is known to be an admirer of Watkins and the club are 'actively looking' to strengthen their attack following injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. Speaking about the 29-year-old in 2023, Arteta said : "He’s been tremendously consistent over the last few years. He is a real threat, like all other strikers, don’t give him the ball in the box! That’s his main quality."

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READ MORE: Aston Villa 'on the verge' of transfer agreement amid mega bids for Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins

Watkins has scored 69 league goals for the club and is only six away from breaking their all-time Premier League goals record, currently held by Gabby Agbonlahor.

With that said, BirminghamLive has taken a look at how the Villa supporters reacted to the news.

Mike Cool Ruler: "To be fair Watkins has been poor for large parts of this season, and has cost us a few games. However Arsenal have come shiffing not by chance, there might have been some rumours that Villa are looking to buy an upgrade on Watkins, sending "signals" to Arsenal. They will come back with another £15m I think. They need a striker desperately. Monchi will be one set ahead for certain."

Smashed: "It looks like Duran is on his way to Al-Nassr so I very much doubt the club would even consider letting Ollie go, Ollie is a quality striker who has not failed to reach double figures every season at Villa, he won't be going anywhere."

Chosen in 1957: "The prospect of selling Ollie to Arsenal would definitely not be on the cards if Unai was to find a way for him to form a striking partnership with Jhon Duran. It hasn't happened so far but that's not to say it won't in the future."

Lartelia1874: "They are deliberately trying to unsettle us. Though £60m for someone whose best days are behind him may be accepted."

VTID: "We won't sell ollie this window considering Duran is near out the door . They'll probably promise him he can go at the end of the season . It'll be impossible to replace two strikers before Monday."

Addam Hewitt: "Pathetic bid. Nonsense."

Amit Pal: "Absolutely hating this window."

Mark Wheeler: "They pulled the same stunt with dougie Luiz last year if I remember correctly."

Freddie: "Why have they left it at the end of the window on a very important game day. I wouldn’t sell Ollie to them lot under any circumstances. It’s definitely knocked the shine of tonight with all this transfer stuff."