Hearts boss Robbie Neilson plays down Aston Villa talk

Hearts manager Robbie Neilson has dismissed speculation linking him with the Aston Villa job, claiming it is "just paper talk".

Neilson is rated as a 20/1 shot to succeed Tim Sherwood at Villa Park and some reports claim he is on the Premier League club's list of candidates.

But Neilson has declared unfinished business at Hearts after winning the Scottish Championship title - finishing 24 points ahead of Rangers - last season, and guiding the side into the top three of the Scottish Premiership this season.

The 35-year-old former Leicester defender said: "It's just paper talk. These things happen when people move on from different clubs, there is always talk.

"But my sole focus is here at Hearts. I've still got a huge job to do and it's something I am really enjoying.

"It's more testament to the players and the club, to be honest, than myself.

"The club has come on so much in the last 18 months and it's continuing to grow but we still have a long way to go and I want to be part of it."

With Celtic and Aberdeen playing each other at Parkhead on Saturday, live on Sky Sports, Hearts have a chance to go second or at least close the gap at the top of the table when they take on Partick Thistle.

"It's something we have spoken about," Neilson said. "Obviously the Celtic-Aberdeen game is prior to ours so we will know what the score is, but somebody is going to drop points there and it's a chance for us to get closer.

"But first and foremost we have to beat a good Partick Thistle team. I have watched them quite a bit this season and watched them up at St Johnstone where they got a good result. Alan has got the boy (Mathias) Pogba in and Robbie Muirhead as well gives them a bit of strength up front.

"I know Alan quite well and he is a good manager. He is consistent in what he does and the club didn't panic at the start of the season. They bided their time well and they will be a strong team this year."

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