Arsenal had scouts watching young Aston Villa midfielder Callum O’Hare, according to reports.

O’Hare was in fine form for the Aston Villa u23 side as he bagged a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Newcastle earlier in the week.

According to the Birmingham Mail, Arsenal, Everton and Southampton had scouts at the game, and were said to be focusing on O’Hare’s performance.

The three clubs are apparently regular watchers of the young Villa team, who are currently fourth in the Premier League 2 Second Division.

O’Hare has trained with the Aston Villa first team and signed a new two-year contract with the club last month.

He made his first team debut in the Carabao Cup first round against Colchester.

Overall, he has five first team appearances for the club, including two appearances off the bench in the Championship.

The 19-year-old started off as a striker, but gradually moved deeper into midfield. He now plays as either an attacking midfielder or a central midfielder.

Arsenal, never shy about stockpiling young midfield talent, seem to have been watching him for a while.

The Championship has been a good source of young English players for the club down the years.

Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rob Holding have all been signed from clubs in the lower divisions.