Leeds United have denied a report that Alan Smith is set to rejoin David O'Leary at Aston Villa.
Leeds fans will have been alarmed to read a report today which claims that "secret talks" have taken place and England striker Smith is close to completing a move to Villa Park.
But Leeds' official website www.leedsunited.com today carried an emphatic denial of the report.
"Leeds United can categorically deny the story and have issued assurances that there are no plans to part with Alan Smith, who is seen as a key figure in Peter Reid's aims to take the club back into Europe again."
Smith, 22, signed a new contract in February keeping him at the club until the summer of 2006 and recently gave an interview in which he insisted he would not have left the club even if they had been relegated last season.