Villa: Aston Villa have distanced themselves from reports owner Randy Lerner is looking to sell the club. The suggestion at the weekend was that Lerner was looking to recoup a figure of around £200m for a club he bought in 2006 for £62.6m, and after spending £250m on players and upgrading facilities. But chief executive Paul Faulkner said: “I can categorically confirm Aston Villa FC has absolutely not been put up for sale.”

Charged: Norwich and New-castle have until tomorrow after-noon to respond to a FA charge of failing to control their players in last week’s ill-tempered goalless draw at Carrow Road. Newcastle striker Loic Remy and Norwich midfielder Bra-dley Johnson were each shown a red card by referee Chris Foy after pushing each other and then squaring up head-to-head on the touchline.

Van Marwijk: Hamburg coach Bert van Marwijk is not going to pay for his side’s dismal form after being given a vote of confidence by club chairman Carl-Edgar Jarchow. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Hoffenheim was their fifth loss in a row, leaving them inside the relegation zone. “Even a defeat to Berlin (next weekend) would not change our faith in Van Marwijk,” Jarchow said.

Padova: Serie B strugglers Padova have parted with coach Bortolo Mutti following the team’s 4-1 upset at home to Carpi on Saturday. Reports said Michele Serena is likely to take over the reins of the team, currently next from bottom with 18 points from 22 matches.

Police probe: Police are looking for three men accused of pelting Theo Walcott with coins during an Arsenal-Tottenham match. The 24-year-old came under a shower of missiles as he was carried off on a stretcher after injuring his knee during the London derby on Jan. 4.

Serie B: Empoli vs Palermo 1-1.