Lee Johnson dismisses Aston Villa link

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson has played down speculation that he is being sought for the top job at Aston Villa.

The Championship club are in the hunt for a new boss after Roberto Di Matteo was sacked on Monday following the side's poor start to life in the second tier.

Johnson, 35, was appointed Robins boss in February and his work with the side so far this term - leading them to fifth in the Championship after 11 games - has reportedly alerted Villa owner Dr Tony Xia.

"I always dreamed of being here and earning my stripes as a coach, so why would I want to leave when I'm so happy?" he told the Bristol Post.

"I'm not going to comment on other things, I just wanted people to know how I feel. I'm fiercely ambitious, don't get me wrong, but my ambition is being channelled into Bristol City. This is my place.

"I have a really exciting group of players and I want to see where it can take us. Crowds are on the up at Ashton Gate, we have a fantastic revamped stadium and this is a club going places."

Other names in the frame at Villa include former Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce, Huddersfield Town's David Wagner, Brentford's Dean Smith and Luton Town manager Nathan Jones.