Source: Team_Talk
Villa play down Boyd move reports
It has been claimed Boyd, 26, has spoken to Villa about signing a pre-contract with Martin O'Neill's side but Villa sources have revealed that no deal was imminent.[LNB]Rangers' top scorer, who is currently injured, has been offered a new contract with the SPL leaders, with his existing one due to expire in the summer.[LNB]He has also been linked with moves to Middlesbrough and Birmingham, with the latter coming close to landing the forward a year ago when talks broke down over personal terms.[LNB]Rangers agreed to sell him at that stage due to the club's financial difficulties, but manager Walter Smith has insisted he is currently under no pressure to offload players.[LNB]Smith is keen to tie Boyd up on a longer deal, while assistant Ally McCoist has said the club "would be crazy" not to try to keep him.[LNB]Last month saw Boyd break Henrik Larsson's all-time SPL goals record of 158 when he netted five in a 7-1 demolition of Dundee United.[LNB]That took his tally to the season to 19 goals, with his partnership with Kenny Miller contributing 31 to Rangers' SPL title bid.[LNB]Boyd underwent hernia surgery in Manchester last week and is expected to be out until the middle of next month.[LNB]The strike partnership of Boyd and Kenny Miller has produced 31 SPL goals so far this season, with Boyd contributing 19.[LNB][LNB] Barclays Prem To Be in Top 4 Win Outright: Aston Villa 4/1
