All Quiet on the Transfer Front

Gravesen’s agent John Sivebak rejected reports linking his charge with Villa after rumours caused by the Danish international’s absence in Everton’s draw at Old Trafford on Monday. He told Danish website Onside.de: "I can definitely rule out Aston Villa. If there was something in it, I would have heard about it." 28-year-old Gravesen was the subject of much speculation this summer, with German club SV Hamburg pursuing his signature.

Dyer denial
The news follows David O'Leary’s vehement denial that he was planning a surprise move for Newcastle fan-pleaser Dyer. The England central-midfielder has an aversion to wings that only people who lived through the Frog Chorus’ chart tenure back in 1984 can truly empathise with, and fell out of favour with the club after refusing to play on the right-flank against Middlesborough. The 26-year-old was booed at St James’ while playing for the national team and then left out of the barcodes’ 4-2 defeat to Villa on Saturday. But with Sir Bobby Robson now spending his Saturday afternoons playing dominoes, his replacement in the Newcastle helm might give him an opportunity to make amends.

Latin moves

Reports had intimated O'Leary would bid £6 million for the 25-year-old and Villa do have that sum available as they offered Southampton the same amount for striker James Beattie. The transfer reopens in January and Villa fans must hope that O’Leary is simply holding on to the cash until the conclusion of the Brazilian league before making his move for Robinho. Else, perhaps he’s waiting on the early season form in Argentina – the names of Perea and Carlos Tevez would both look good on the Villa teamsheet.