Sean Dyche dismisses reports linking Tom Heaton to Aston Villa

The 33-year-old stopper was this week reported to be the subject of a £7m bid from Dean Smith's side, as they continue to eye deals ahead of their Premier League campaign.

Holding an interest in Jack Butland and Neil Etheridge, Heaton was the latest goalkeeper to be linked with a move to B6 - but Dyche has shot down talk of an exit.

"There is nothing it, there has been no contact with me," Dyche told LancsLive.

"There has been rumours and rumours aplenty this summer and we understand why that is, but we have got a group of players we believe in and we always seemingly over the last few years have interest in one player or another but there is certainly nothing serious our end.

"Tom is here with us as normal."

Clarets skipper Heaton has a year remaining on his current deal at Turf Moor and reportedly turned down a new deal in June.

Last season he regained his starting spot between the sticks from Joe Hart, although England international Nick Pope has signed a new deal at the club, raising questions about who is likely to hold the number one shirt under Dyche this campaign.

Burnley risk losing him for nothing next summer should they fail to agree terms.

Villa tied down last season's play-off semi-final hero Jed Steer to a new deal earlier this summer, although are in the market for a new goalkeeper to provide competition for the 26-year-old.

Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic are also both on Villa's books, although the latter has been linked with an exit, whilst Nyland has only recently returned to training following a serious Achilles injury picked up over the Christmas period.