LONDON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Aston Villa coach Unai Emery said on Friday that England striker Ollie Watlins is committed to the club and he is happy to stay.

After Villa secured direct qualification for the last-16 of the Champions League, the main topic surrounding the club has been Arsenal's interest in signing Watkins before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Reports suggest that Villa has rejected Arsenal's offer of approximately 60 million pounds (around 75 million U.S. dollars) for Watkins, who has scored 81 goals in 201 appearances since joining from Brentford in 2020.

"Some players prefer to leave and some accept to stay here and commit with our challenges. One of them is Ollie Watkins," Emery told the press before the weekend match away to local rivals, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

"He is happy to stay. We asked him how he is feeling every day he is here with Villa and he is happy here, " the Spaniard noted.

"The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Villa have always supported him and helped him. Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa in the last years," continued the coach, who said he was in close contact with the striker.

"I speak to him a lot, he is always adapting to the circumstances we have," commented Emery, who has seen Colombian striker Jhon Duran move to Saudi Pro League side, Al Nassr in a deal that could be worth around 90 million dollars. Enditem

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