Joe Hart
Former Manchester City goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is unsettling but there is no getting away from the fact that he would have known. It won't have been a case of popping the news on and seeing, 'oh jeez Arsenal have put a bid in for me' - he will be more than aware of what's going on.

I think this sort of noise before the game is more of a nightmare for a manager.

Stephen Warnock
Former Aston Villa and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Flip it on its head and think about it if the bid was the other way around. Could you imagine Mikel Arteta if a bid came in today, he would be absolutely livid, furious.

Whether it has definitely come in we don't know, there are rumours, but I find it incredible that you would bid on the day of the game. There is time to get the deal done after the game tonight.

There are several reports of an Arsenal bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

BBC Sport has been told by a source Villa have no intention of selling the forward, who has 10 goals in 31 games this season.

Villa are unhappy with the timing of the news of the reported £60m bid, which broke just hours before their Champions League game with Celtic.

Outlets, including the Press Association, have reported the offer while the Daily Mail has written it has been rejected.

BBC Sport is looking into those reports to try and verify any approach.

Arsenal have been approached and have so far declined to comment.

Aston Villa Unai Emery is expected to address the issue in his post-match press conference this evening.

We'll bring you more as soon as we have it.

Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports: "We have to come here and be better than the opposition and win the game."

On the starting XI and debutant Neto: "Raya is not fit. If there's a player who deserves a chance, it is Neto - the rest [start] for different reasons."

On Ethan Nwaneri: "Incredible what he has done in the season. He accelerated the process of what anybody had in mind."

On the Champions League: "We want to be be better in any context. We will find the opposition to be tough.

"They have a very good coach. What they have done in their history and what they have achieved is phenomenal."

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott discusses his old club's chances of winning the Champions League this season.

Owen Hargreaves
Former Manchester United midfielder on TNT Sports

I think Arsenal have been really impressive. If they continue defensively as they are, I think they could win it.

If they could get someone up top, I think they could be a problem for any team.

Image source, Getty Images

For Arsenal tonight it's just a case of dotting the i's and crossing the t's on their place in the Champions League last 16.

They are three points above ninth place - with a better goal difference by seven goals.

So short of being demolished by a team already knocked out - or nearly every team below them winning by big scorelines - they are safe.

"We're here to win the game and in order to do that we're going to have to be better than them," said boss Mikel Arteta.

"So it will be a very strong team in order to achieve what we want to do because mathematically the qualifying at the moment is uncertain."

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The rest of Europe have been warned - Real Madrid are back.

And back as the stadium-filling rock legends that we know them to be, as opposed to the enthusiastic, discordant high school band they have looked like for so much of the season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men go into Wednesday's Champions League league-phase finale against Brest having already confirmed at least a place in the play-offs - and with an outside chance of sneaking into the top eight.

Since being destroyed 5-2 by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, Real have won their past four matches, scoring 17 goals, and are top of La Liga by four points.

An indifferent start to the campaign, including some inconsistent form and questions around the dynamic of the side with new superstar signing Kylian Mbappe, saw plenty of criticism directed towards boss Ancelotti.

"Ancelotti is leaving the club in the summer", "Mbappe can't settle", "Vinicius Jr is unsettled" - people were asking what was going on at Real.

But the demise of the European giants has been exaggerated.

Ancelotti has never been unduly bothered by the opinions of people outside of the club, although this time he sensed there were elements emanating from within.

Read the full article on the BBC Sport website

Defending champions Real Madrid found themselves in trouble after two losses in a row but two wins on the spin has lifted the La Liga leaders up to 16th and three points tonight could lift them into the top eight. However, they face a Brest side who are also eyeing an automatic qualification spot.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Bologna are already eliminated regardless of tonight's result so all eyes are on Sporting.

The Portuguese side were flying high in Europe under Ruben Amorim and they sat joined second after four games.

But they've dropped away badly since then and are 23rd going into tonight's games. A draw should see them through but a win will be needed to be sure.

Image source, Getty Images

Alejandro Balde may not have meant any offence by it, but the Barcelona defender may have handed opponents Atalanta some extra motivation by saying he'd never heard of their manager.

Balde described Atalanta as "a great team" but when asked about their coach Gian Piero Gasperini he said: "Who is that? I don't know."

After a Barcelona member of staff explained it to him, Balde added: "Oh, okay, the truth is I had no idea. Well, I don't know, I guess good, I don't know, good, good."

Atalanta have lost only once in their seven Champions League games and are seventh in the standings with 14 points, assuring them of at least a play-off spot.

Barcelona are second and guaranteed a place in the last 16 regardless of the result of tonight's match.

Image source, Getty Images

Mathys Tel, 19, has been an unused substitute in all bar one of Bayern Munich's six matches since the Bundesliga side returned from their winter break but he starts tonight.

The France under-21 international wants to leave Bayern in search of regular football and has been linked with Premier League side Chelsea as he looks to move on to pastures new.

Earlier today, it was reported that Manchester United, external are interested in signing Tel on loan.

Image source, Getty Images

In September 2024, Bayern Munich demolished Dinamo Zagreb with a 9-2 victory in their first Champions League match of the season

Vincent Kompany's side became the first team to score nine goals in a Champions League game.

Tonight they face Slovan Bratislava who are second bottom in the league table, pointless and have already had their elimination confirmed.

They have also conceded 24 goals in their seven games.

A Bayern win is highly likely but how many goals will they score?

The Champions League group phase is the perfect stage for young players to announce themselves on the world stage and this year has been no different.

From 20-year-old English winger Jamie Gittens at Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona's superstar forward Lamine Yamal and in-demand Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz.

BBC Sport takes a look at some of the under 23s who have impressed in helping their clubs bid to progress.

Who else has impressed you?

Image source, Getty Images

Stiliyan Petrov says his "heart is torn" tonight having played for both Celtic and Aston Villa.

The former Bulgaria midfielder, now 45, played for Celtic from 1999 to 2006 and then for Villa until his retirement in 2013 after suffering from acute leukaemia - from which he has recovered.

He also had coaching roles with Villa.

"I have two boys - one is a Celtic fan, one is a Villa fan," he told the BBC. "You can imagine what's happening in my house. I'd take a draw.

"Through my battle with cancer I had the support of the two clubs. I'm really close to both clubs. I'm looking forward to the game."

Martin O'Neill
Former Celtic and Aston Villa manager on TNT Sports

On Ollie Watkins being linked to Arsenal...

It is so close to transfer deadline day, I would feel apoplectic I have to admit, this close.

If Aston Villa want to progress, they must keep Ollie Watkins.

January transfer window? I would be hating it.

Joleon Lescott
Former Aston Villa defender on TNT Sports

This is not a distraction that Aston Villa or their players need.

In regards to them bids (from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins and Al Nassr for Jhon Duran), not great timing from Arsenal and it shows how well these players have been doing and how well Villa have been doing.

The talk of the town this evening is undoubtedly Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal have reportedly put in a bid for the England forward this evening. Two hours before both teams are set to play their respective Champions League fixtures.

Interesting timing. To say the least.

But I suppose Arsenal need a striker and time is of the essence?

The January window shuts on Monday.

Image source, Getty Images

Celtic

Celtic manager Brendon Rodgers on TNT Sports: "It is a great achievement to make the 24 but we have a very, very small chance to get in top eight and if you have any chance in life, you should go for it.

"We have to be conscious of Aston Villa's strengths. They are a good counter attacking team, so we don't want a basketball game against them.

"We have to be fast and dynamic and make sure we stay compact. Our job was to make the play-offs but we aren't finished."