Premier League: Aston Villa fast running out of options

The baby faced assassin, who traded at 1.21/5, might not have extensive managerial experience, but instant success in Norway, coupled with his knowledge of the Premier League gives him significant appeal. Villa, however, will now be forced to look elsewhere, after the Norwegian withdrew his interest in the position, citing his reluctance to leave Molde for both football and family reasons.

Villa's public pursuit of Solskjaer will inevitably undermine their subsequent approaches and it is not yet clear who the club will turn to now. Norwich's Paul Lambert is the narrow favourite at 5.04/1, while Roberto Martinez is marginally further out at 5.24/1.

Martinez rejected the chance to take over at Villa this time last season, so it would be something of a surprise if he were to jump at the opportunity now. As for Lambert, the Canaries boss is reportedly willing to discuss the vacancy with Villa, but whether he will be prepared to join a club that finished nine points adrift of Norwich remains to be seen. Moreover, chief executive David McNally has repeatedly insisted that enquiries for Lambert are not welcome and so Villa are likely to encounter significant resistance on that front.

The big mover at this stage is Huddersfield's Simon Grayson, who was linked with the vacant post last summer. Much however has changed since then, not least Grayson's departure from Leeds and subsequent decision to drop down to League One with the Terriers. And the timing could hardly be worse, with Huddersfield set to take on Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley on Saturday. Whatever the outcome, Grayson will surely be keen to continue the job he started just three months ago. The former Leeds manager is 11.521/2 to take the helm at Villa Park.

If Randy Lerner had hoped to make a quick appointment, he is set to be disappointed, as this has all the makings of a prolonged saga. And assuming McNally is good to his word, the problems have merely just begun at Villa Park.