Unfortunately for Ollie Watkins and Aston Villa, he is never going to be able to separate comments made when still a Brentford player to what has been near-persistent transfer speculation. “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day," he said.

At the time it was exactly the long shot that he went on to describe. "I'm not sure my grandad or uncle Baz are going to be too happy," he went on to say after scoring against Mikel Arteta's side for Villa having moved earlier that year. "They are Arsenal fans and I am an Arsenal fan myself - but I'm buzzing. I am sure they will love it really. I am over the moon."

He had previously said: "I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol]. He’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”

With Arsenal linked to Watkins for much of the past two-and-a-half years, something that has ramped up with his consistent goalscoring in the Premier League, it is only natural that his comments resurfaced after a bid was revealed on Wednesday night. At around £60million, it represents a significant offer from Arsenal as they seek to try and find an answer to their striker shortage.

Villa are understandably not keen to let the 29-year-old move on, though, especially after agreeing to sell Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. His exit gives them a huge cash injection and no cover upfront. Even if they were to bring in Joao Felix, it won't make parting with Watkins any easier.

Unai Emery has certainly made his stance clear. “I don’t want [to sell]," he said on Wednesday night when asked about the bid. "It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.

“We are working, the club is working and trying to compete in the transfer window because we need some players. Some can leave, but it is not the time to speak about it.”

His determination to keep Watkins is something that has been matched enthusiastically by his player in the past as well. “I’m really happy,” he said after signing a new long-term contract in 2023. “I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football; I’ve still got a lot to achieve here.”

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Villa then went on to qualify for the Champions League and Watkins had his best individual season yet. “I feel like I’ve had a really good connection with the fans since I’ve come here. From day one they’ve been really good with me; we’ve had highs and lows but that’s football. You can see the direction of the club, and I want to be a part of that.”

Although Villa's league form did drop off at the start of the campaign they are getting back towards being in the race for the European places again. Watkins has a part to play in that and 18 months ago was only too sure about the direction of travel.

“We’re only getting started," he continued. "The boss has been here for a year and you’ve seen the form and progression of players. There are other levels we can get to. Hopefully we can push on and get to the Champions League spots – that’s the aim.”

And on a personal level there is more to achieve. “From day one, since I’ve come in, I feel like I’ve done well. I’ve had some highs and some lows like any player at any club. I feel like I’m on a high now and it’s only going to keep going up.

“I’ve got some targets I’m going to hit: I’m going to break Gabby’s [Agbonlahor] record with the goals, I want to win a trophy. I feel like I can do that here and that’s why I’ve stayed. Hopefully I can repay the fans by achieving them and bring silverware home and score more goals.”

Watkins is now only five away from going clear of Agbonlahor at the top of the club's all-time Premier League goalscorers list. He will have to remain in the Midlands past Monday's January transfer window deadline to do it, though.

His commitment to the cause cannot be doubted by Villa. Emery's own love and admiration says plenty. Arsenal will remain in the hunt but it is a tough bond to break.