Rob Dorsett has said that Aston Villa want to compile a shortlist of up to six managers before making their final decision over who to appoint on Sky Sports News.
Shortlist being made
Villa parted company with Dean Smith at the weekend and Steven Gerrard and Roberto Martinez are among the men in the frame to takeover at Villa Park now.
It seems that the claret and blues have not yet made any final decision over who they want to appoint, though.
Villa are keen to make a swift appointment, and want a new manager in charge before their next game, but they are currently compiling a list of potential candidates rather than rushing into a decision.
“I can tell you a couple of names now, after conversations late last night and this morning,” Dorsett said.
“Roberto Martinez and Steven Gerrard are on Aston Villa’s list of possible replacements for Dean Smith.
“Both those managers are in work so Aston Villa know they would have to pay compensation.
“My understanding is that Villa want to draw up a list of five or six candidates they want to speak to at this stage before making a decision about who they want to come in and take on the job.
“They do, though, want a manager in place in time for their game against Brighton, a week on Saturday.”
Morale boost needed
Smith’s sacking at Villa came on the back of five straight defeats, but he remained very popular with most of the players.
There has been a number of Villa’s squad express sadness that Smith has gone and the first task for any new manager is likely to be lift spirits around camp.
The claret and blues’ bad run of form has seen them slip down to 15th place in the Premier League table – with only two points separating them from the relegation zone.
Both Gerrard and Martinez look to be intriguing candidates for the Midlands side.
Martinez is famed for an attacking approach and has had success in charge of Belgium, but doubts remain over his defensive quality.
Gerrard, meanwhile, has transformed Rangers since taking charge there and led them to the Scottish league title.
However, he has never managed in the Premier League before, so there would be some element of risk with his appointment.
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