Next Aston Villa Manager Odds
When Alex McLeish quit as manager of Birmingham, he became the favourite to take the vacancy at Aston Villa. Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez and Roberto Martinez all reportedly turned down the job so that leaves British targets like McLeish, Mark Hughes and David Moyes at the top of the odds.
Hughes quit Fulham to take a job elsewhere. It remains to be seen if a move from Everton to Aston Villa is what Moyes wants, but he has been linked to the Midlands club for several months. Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner wants Premier League experience, which would put Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard out of the running. Lerner wants a new boss in place by the end of next week, with hopes of not replicating the problems from Martin O’Neill’s exit five days before last season’s start.
Ancellotti was once the favourite to take the job but has decided to take a 12-month sabbatical. Lerner didn’t like Hughes’ abrupt exit from Fulham. Martin Jol was another early candidate but he has replaced Gerard Houllier at Craven Cottage due to health concerns.
Whoever gets the Aston Villa job won’t have Ashley Young at their disposal. The England international is expected to go to Manchester United for £16 million. No fee has been agreed on between the two sides for the forward’s contract, which has 12 months left.
Next Aston Villa Manager Odds (supplied by SkyBet)
Alex McLeish: 1/5
Mark Hughes: 9/2
David Moyes: 10/1
Gus Poyet: 16/1
Frank Rijkaard: 20/1
Owen Coyle: 20/1
Claudio Ranieri: 20/1
Simon Grayson: 25/1
Rafa Benitez: 33/1
Alan Curbishley: 33/1
Ian Holloway: 40/1
Carlo Ancelotti: 40/1
Gary McAllister: 40/1
Steve Bruce: 40/1
Bob Bradley: 40/1
Billy Davies: 40/1
Ray Wilkins: 40/1