Aston Villa fan Tom Hanks had an incredible reaction to Ollie Watkins' opener vs Arsenal

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks was overcome with excitement after Ollie Watkins handed Aston Villa a surprise early lead in their Premier League clash against Arsenal.

The 66-year-old, who first spoke of his support of Villa in January 2008, when he made the revelation at the premiere of his film Charlie Wilson's War in London, was a special guest for Saturday's game at Villa Park.

And he was just getting settled into his seat when the in-form Watkins beat Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with a wonderful effort from the left hand side.

Moments later and the BT Sport cameras panned to Hanks, who couldn't believe his eyes as Unai Emery's side went 1-0 ahead after just five minutes. Check out his reaction below.

Saturday's fixture against Premier League leaders Arsenal is the second Villa game Hanks has attended. Back in 2012, he joined fellow Villa fan Bob Stephenson to watch their pre-season friendly against Portland Timbers.

A year later and Hanks was asked if he was a Villa supporter during an interview with Channel 5.

"I am. Well I've seen one Aston Villa match, it was a friendly in the United States," he said.

"I try to keep up. I have a very good friend that lives and dies by Aston Villa, he's in Los Angeles as well, so I'm always getting my updates from him.

"Because I can never figure out what channel the football match is on on my grid at home - 583, 643, 801? I can never quite find it.

"Every time I'm looking at the football matches on the soccer channels, as we call it, it's always West Ham playing Man United, Tottenham v Queens Park Rangers. Bring me Villa, bring me Villa!

"Doesn't it sound like a lovely place, Aston Villa? I had a lovely massage at Aston Villa...."

When they suffered relegation from England's top flight in 2015, Hanks was positive despite the news.

“This is a message to all the claret and blue: Hang on. There's not a club in the world that hasn't experienced this and there's not a club in the world that hasn't fought back," he said.

"Aston Villa will see their destiny through. Hang on. Don't give up. Wear the scarves. Be proud."