Premiership: Atletico deny Gregory link

Fallen Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have denied all knowledge of contact with former Aston Villa boss John Gregory.

Atletico, enjoying a revival under veteran coach Luis Aragones and looking a near certainty to be playing top-flight football again next season, were linked with Gregory this weekend.

But an Atletico spokesman said: ‘‘We have absolutely no news about this (Gregory) at the moment.

‘‘Everyone at the club is behind Luis all the way and we know absolutely nothing about Gregory.’’

Aragones, who joined Atletico last summer after leading Real Mallorca into the Champions League, has been credited with turning around the club’s disastrous form of the past two years.

Atletico, nine-time Spanish champions, are now eight points clear at the top of the second division.

Although the 63-year-old Aragones’ contract runs out at the end of the season, he is expected to continue at the club where he made his name as a player.

Gregory left Premiership club Villa last Thursday after four years in charge.