Marseille midfielder Benoit Cheyrou has quashed speculation that Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill had identified him as a potential replacement for Gareth Barry by insisting that he has not received an approach from the Midlands club.

Reports had linked the former Celtic boss with a move for 28-year-old Cheyrou who arrived at the Stade Velodrome in 2007 after earning a fine repuation at Auxerre under the watchful gaze of legendary French coach Guy Roux. The brother of former Liverpool player Bruno, who spent four years at Anfield, Cheyrou is a technical midfield player who usually sets the tempo in matches for l'OM and possesses a wonderful range of passing.

Indeed, his performances and importance to Marseille has not gone unnoticed by the new boss of the Ligue 1 giants Didier Deschamps, who is known to be keen on retaining the talented midfielder' services. Cheyrou himself has been quick to play down rumours of interest from Villa Park or any other club.

He told skysports.com: "My contract with Marseille runs until June 2011, so after a difficult season I am currently a Marseillais.

"I want to relax, I have no contacts so far with any club."