Soccer:Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald insists Aston Villa have received no bid or approach from Tottenham for Ashley Young.
MacDonald believes it is crucial Villa hold onto their leading players if he decides to apply to take permanent charge in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Young gave another demonstration of his importance to Villa by setting up the winner for namesake Luke Young in Sunday's 1-0 home win over Everton.
It lifted Villa into fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League as they bounced back from their 6-0 mauling at Newcastle and exit from the Europa League.
MacDonald said: "We've not had any contact from Tottenham for Ashley Young, nothing at all. We've not had any bid from them at all.
"Clubs are going to be coming in for some of our top players because one or two of them have been tremendous.
"They have shown some great form at the start of this season. I would like to think the club wouldn't sell them but who knows.
"If it was down to me, I wouldn't sell them."
When asked if that would be a key issue for MacDonald should he be a leading candidate, he said: "Yes, very much so, and how we see the future of the club going would be a big thing for me.
"I think if the club says it is a sell to buy club, we have to develop those younger players quicker and better.
"But we also need to keep the club progressing to keep all your senior players keen and interested in trying to win things.
"We want to still be forcing ourselves into Europe, having good cup runs, because that is the nature of football.
"I think if the supporters saw we weren't doing that, they wouldn't be very happy."
MacDonald will let club owner Randy Lerner know by Tuesday whether he is keen to be considered as Martin O'Neill's successor.
He said: "If I decide I want to be considered, I will give what my scene is for the future of the club.
"Also I'd ask Mr Lerner things as well to see if he is going along with me, but that's what potential managers do anyway."
Villa will now step up their bid to replace O'Neill during the two week international break.
Chief executive Paul Faulkner said: "To date, we have immersed ourselves in the process of appointing a new manager and clearly identifying the key criteria this person must meet.
"Two of the traits we believe are of crucial importance are that candidates have experience of managing in the Premier League and a strategy for building on the existing strengths in our current squad.
"We have thoroughly researched potential candidates and have reached out to a variety of contacts we have within the game for advice and guidance, as well as keeping key staff at Villa Park informed and focused.
"We will now start the process of interviewing candidates we believe meet the key criteria required to manage Aston Villa with a view to making an appointment in the near future."
Everton boss David Moyes felt his side deserved at least a share of the spoils from the Villa Park clash.
He said: "We did enough to get something out of the game, if not more than one point.
"We dominated for most of the game but we have also played well in other games and not been able to score."