Ollie Watkins helped Aston Villa reach the last 16 of the Champions League – just hours after Arsenal’s approach for the England striker was made public.
The forward struck to restore Villa’s lead after they had blown an early 2-0 advantage against Celtic, with team-mate Morgan Rogers hitting a hat-trick in the victory over the Scottish champions.
Watkins’ goal came following the Gunners’ surprise approach for him this week.
It seemingly did not faze Watkins – a boyhood Arsenal fan – who started and set up Rogers for the second goal of his early double.
Watkins also won and missed a second-half penalty, slipping badly as he went to strike the ball from the spot.
Villa have no intention of letting the 29-year-old England striker leave, especially now qualification for the knockout stage is assured, with Unai Emery’s side finishing eighth in the table.
Celtic, who finish 21st, face a play-off next month to reach the last 16 having initially fought back from 2-0 down after only five minutes.
Rogers’ first two goals gave the hosts a comfortable lead, only for Adam Idah’s own quickfire double to level before half-time.
Watkins had been denied by Alistair Johnston’s goalline clearance which would have put the hosts 3-0 up before Celtic roared back.
Idah hooked in from close range and then pounced on Reo Hatate’s pass to stun Villa Park.
But the hosts recovered after the restart with Watkins restoring their lead after an hour before his bungled penalty four minutes later, slipping to balloon the spot-kick high and wide.
Rogers tapped in his third goal in injury time after another defensive mess for Celtic.
