By Kevin Bethell
February 11 2003

Derby boss John Gregory has fought back at Villa manager Graham Taylor's comments about transfer speculation from the Rams boss. Derby boss John Gregory has blasted his Aston Villa counter-part Graham Taylor after the former England manager revealed The Rams supremo had enquired about the possibility of taking Juan Pablo Angel, Mustapha Hadji and Alpay on loan to Pride Park for the rest of the season.

Although Gregory didnt deny he had shown an interest in the players he was clearly unhappy that Taylor had gone to the press at what he felt was a private matter: "Graham Taylor has gone public on a private conversation," Gregory told the club's official website. "Yes I did enquire about one or two at Villa but I'd like to keep that private."

However, its the former England boss Taylor who claims Gregory went public on the matter. He said: "I had a conversation with John Gregory earlier this week regarding a number of players and, as far as I was concerned, it was a private conversation."

"But the next thing I know, I'm being asked about Derby's enquiry by a journalist, which I find both surprising and disappointing."

"That should have been the end of it. I speak to a number of managers over similar enquiries on a regular basis but always with the understanding from both sides that the calls are confidential."