The club appear to be moving swiftly in replacing sacked manager Dean Smith, with Steven Gerrard widely reported to be in advanced discussions to assume the role.
Gerrard is expected to be unveiled, subject to terms and backroom staff being arranged, within the next 48 hours.
Whilst a number of names are in the frame for the Head Coach role at B6, it appears at this point that Villa will get their number one target. Though many tabloid reports have cited a range of familiar and unfamiliar faces in the running for the role, only that of Roberto Martinez, currently in charge of Belgium, appears to hold any credibility. Other links appear at best, speculative.
Embed from Getty ImagesVilla’s interest in Gerrard is perhaps unsurprising.
The former Liverpool player was a proven winner on the field, infamously Captaining the side to European Cup glory in 2005. He is also widely considered to have been amongst the finest midfielders of the modern era in the Premier League.
As a manager, Gerrard’s career, though certainly in it’s infancy, has seen him turn around the fortunes of Rangers north of the border. After three years in charge, he last season lifted the SPL title, breaking the 100 point barrier in doing so. This undefeated season saw Rangers finish the campaign 25 points ahead of rivals Celtic.
The 41 year old is also familiar to Villa’s CEO Christian Purslow. Purslow has a connection to Gerrard from his days within the management hierarchy at Liverpool.
It’s understood that Villa would need to pay Rangers compensation between £2-3m to release Gerrard. For now, we watch and wait.