Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins wants to stay at the club despite a tricky recent period, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The England international has endured a testing start to the season and has been linked with a shock move away from Villa Park.

What's the latest news involving Watkins?

According to The Express, Premier League rivals Leeds are interested in a move for Watkins, which comes less than three months after Villa were prepared to sell him.

Following a 'tense' relationship with ex-manager Steven Gerrard, Football Insider claimed that Villa were willing to move Watkins on back in August.

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He ended up staying at Villa Park and was a regular starter under Gerrard despite some tough times under his guidance.

Watkins scored just once in his final 11 games in charge despite being picked from the off in each of those matches.

Incredibly, he marked the first fixture of the post-Gerrard era by netting in the 4-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday.

What did Jones say about Watkins?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "As soon as [Steven] Gerrard is gone, Watkins is back on the goal trail.

"He doesn't want to leave Aston Villa, ultimately he'll see this as a clean slate for him and I don't think Leeds will be able to get him."

What is Watkins' contract situation?

When Watkins made the switch to the Premier League from Brentford for an initial £28m fee back in 2020, he penned a long-term contract.

He has since proved a reliable figure for Villa, registering more than 35 goal contributions in 90 games for Villa.

Therefore, he has justified his massive price tag for a Championship player and the fact he's being paid £75,000 per-week by the Villa Park club.

Watkins is almost half way through his contract in the Midlands and now has two-and-a-half years left on his deal.

If he rediscovers his touch in front of goal and starts showing the same sort of form he produced in his first year at Villa, a contract extension could well be on the cards.