Nigel Reo-Coker's agent Tony Finnigan: "Nigel is a proven Premier League player, and he has no plans whatsoever to drop down to the Championship.
"That is no disrespect to Middlesbrough, Gareth Southgate is a former team-mate of mine and I think he is a very good manager, and Boro are a great club - but they are not a Premier League club.
"But to be honest, we are talking as if Nigel is on his way - let me assure you that is not the case.
"I have not spoken about Nigel's future with Villa and they have not informed me that are looking to sell him, and so Nigel - as the consummate professional he is - is battling for a first-team place at Villa until told otherwise."