Another new name in Aston Villa frame

It looked like the unpredictability of the Fulham next manager market following Roy Hodgson's departure would take some beating but, presumably due to the sheer lack of options at Randy Lerner's disposal, Aston Villa's attempts to replace Martin O'Neill are proving even harder to judge.

After all, who would have thought that a caretaker who lost his first away game as a Premier League boss 6-0 to a newly promoted side would still be the [2.4] favourite to be given the job on a permanent basis?

That's the position Kevin MacDonald finds himself in and his decision to declare interest in taking control full-time suggests that he is fairly confident that there won't be any particularly eye-catching hats thrown in the ring over the international break.

Sven-Goran Eriksson remains next in line at [5.8], however the Swede's willingness to make Birmingham his new home has been apparent for a while and doesn't appear to have been reciprocated by Lerner and the other power-holders at Villa Park.

No other names leap out, which is why punters have been forced to think outside the box to try to come up with a candidate that hasn't been mentioned yet could be in with a shot.

The latest of those is Gerard Houllier, who has pushed past the likes of Alan Curbishley ([14.5]), David Moyes ([20.0]) and Mark Hughes ([27.0]) to emerge as the [12.5] third favourite.

The former Liverpool chief hasn't worked in management since leaving Lyon in 2007 though, so don't contemplate getting behind the Frenchman too heavily straight away!

Is there someone else Aston Villa should be considering? Tell us below...

Published: 1 Sep 2010