But Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier claims that he was expecting a bid from Villa after the collapse of the Angel deal.

Houllier claimed: "As soon as I heard that the Angel deal had collapsed I expected some kind of approach from Aston Villa, so it was no surprise.

"I told Robbie about it and I told him that we didn't want him to go. But if he wants to leave then there are offers for him - not just from Villa.

"Robbie told me he wants to stay, and that is fine. We want him to stay and we have turned down the offers for him."

Chelsea have also made their interest in England striker Fowler clear but have so far received no encouragement from Liverpool.

Fowler was left out of the squad for the Worthington Cup semi-final at Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old was involved in a late-night fracas outside a Liverpool bar last week, although he was the innocent party.

Houllier added: "We have four strikers, and if any one of them doesn't want to knuckle down and fight for a place then they know what they can do.

"I have made it clear that any one of them who doesn't want the competition can do what Titi Camera did and come in and see me. It's up to them all."

Referring to the late-night incident, Houllier said: "He does have to understand that he has lost his place in the side because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He knows that. That means he has to work his socks off to win back his place."