ASTON Villa boss Dean Smith insists John Terry is "happy" in his role at the club, amid reports linking him with the vacant managerial position at Cherries.

Terry, who is an assistant coach to Smith at Villa Park, is currently odds-on favourite with the bookmakers to succeed Jason Tindall as Cherries boss.

Two days have now passed since the club dismissed Tindall, following a run of four successive Championship defeats.

Jonathan Woodgate has been placed in caretaker charge and will manage the team for tomorrow's Championship contest against Birmingham City.

Speaking today, Woodgate insisted he was not at all thinking about potentially taking the job on a full-time basis, as the club continue to search for Tindall's successor.

Discussing the possibility of Terry moving to Cherries, Smith said: "I've always said right from the outset, John Terry came here to learn about coaching.

"He's become a very, very good assistant manager to myself, but ultimately he's come in to learn the trade to ultimately become a number one.

"There's been a lot of speculation over JT. He's really enjoying his work. He's a big part of why we're having a successful season this year.

"But if JT comes in to ask me whether he can go, then that's another conversation I have with Johan Lange (sporting director) and Christian Purslow (chief executive).

"But at the moment he's happy to be at Aston Villa."

Terry is currently priced at 4/5 with SkyBet for the Cherries role, ahead of Frank Lampard (5/2) and Woodgate (8/1).

Odds have in the past 24 hours shortened on Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and ex-West Brom boss Slaven Bilic, who are both available at 12/1.