Bristol City boss distances himself from Aston Villa job

(Picture: Action Images)

Lee Johnson has distanced himself from the vacant managerial role at Aston Villa and reassured Bristol City fans that he is not going anywhere.

Villa sacked Roberto Di Matteo on Monday after just 124 days in charge of the club, and left them struggling at the wrong end of the Championship.

However, after reports claiming Johnson was one of the names on a ten-man shortlist to take over at the Midlands club, he has quickly moved to extinguish those rumours and told the Bristol Post: “Why would I want to leave?

“I always dreamed of being here and earning my stripes as a coach, so why would I want to leave when I’m so happy?

“I’m not going to comment on other things, I just wanted people to know how I feel. I’m fiercely ambitious, don’t get me wrong, but my ambition is being channelled into Bristol City. This is my place.”

Johnson took over at the club in February after leaving Barnsley, and has overseen a great upturn of results this season with the Robins now sitting fifth in the Championship.

Their form, coupled with an impressive summer of recruitment and the redevelopment of Ashton Gate, is the sign of a club doing things in the right way, and Johnson is delighted to be a part of it, even if it does attract speculation.

He said: “It is a good reflection on the club and portrays it in a positive light. It suggests people from outside realise something exciting is happening here.

“That’s why I’m happy here and I want people to know that I’m doing nothing to put myself in the shop window or attract interest from outside.”