manager has shut down 's hopes of signing this winter.

Watkins was the subject of a failed approach from the Gunners earlier this week, with Mikel Arteta looking to land one of his long-term targets. But Villa were always likely to stand firm as their star striker's deputy, Jhon Duran, is on the verge of a mega-money move to Al-Nassr.

In his press conference on Friday, former Arsenal boss Emery confirmed that he and Watkins had discussed his future. And the 29-year-old indicated that he is 'happy to stay' at Villa Park as they push for a third consecutive season of European football.

"He is happy to stay," said Emery. "You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day. Every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with [me and my coaching staff] and without us.

"The commitment of Ollie Watkins to us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa always supported him, helped him, and when we joined him here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him.

"Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. The conversations we are having... I am speaking with him a lot and he is always adapting to every circumstance we have in the squad and individually with him.

"When there are some teams calling us being interested in the players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players. Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us here and to be with our challenge. One of those is Ollie Watkins."

Watkins grew up an fan, hailed Thierry Henry as the best player ever, and openly admitted in 2020 that playing for the Gunners would fulfil a lifelong dream.

It remains to be seen whether he will ever get another chance to pull on the shirt of his boyhood club. are reportedly exploring options to bring in a striker during the current window, with six points ahead in the title race and boasting a game in hand.

Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic and Matheus Cunha are among the Gunners' other striker targets, while they are also believed to have joined the race for wantaway Bayern Munich teenager Mathys Tel.