Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has revealed how Jack Grealish and John McGinn persuaded him to join Aston Villa prior to sealing his £28 million transfer back in September.

The 25-year-old has been a revelation at Villa Park to take his Premier League tally to 10 from his 21 matches to date after making the step up from the Championship.

"I'm loving Birmingham to be fair," Watkins said, in an interview with GAFFER. "It's obviously different coming from London but everyone's made me feel welcome and I've settled in quickly.

"All of the boys are welcoming and I played against a few of them in the Championship. (Jack) Grealish and John McGinn - the two main names - I even bumped into them in Mykonos when they were swaying me into getting me to Villa and it worked! McGinn is the biggest joker I've ever met as well."