Aston Villa board draw up four name shortlist of candidates to replace Smith

Aston Villa expect to make a managerial appointment in the next ten days and the club have come up with a four-man shortlist of Steven Gerrard, Ralph Hasenhüttl, Roberto Martínez and Kasper Hjulmand as candidates to replace Dean Smith.

The Midlands club sacked Smith on Sunday after the side’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton, which was Villa’s fifth in a row.

Smith guided Villa into the Premier League and kept them up during their first season back in the top tier.

However, the side’s form has plummetted since the end of last season and the departure of Jack Grealish left Villa without their talisman.

Villa host Brighton in 12 days’ time and the club expect to have a new manager in place by then, with the Times claiming that the board have drawn up a four-name shortlist.

Heading the list is Rangers boss Steven Gerarrd, after he guided the Gers to their first league title in ten years last term.

Gerrard has made little secret of his desire to manage in the Premier League but his ambition is to lead former side Liverpool.

However, the former England midfielder would likely be interested in the post at Villa Park given the ambition of the club’s owners, as well as the quality of the playing squad.

Villa are also said to be giving ‘serious’ consideration to Roberto Martinez, with the former Everton boss said to be keen to return to club management.

The Spaniard has managed Belgium for the last three years but misses the day-to-day of working with players at club level.

Southampton boss Hasenhüttl is another candidate, with the German considered one of the finest managers in the Premier League for the way in which he’s transformed the Saints since taking over from Claude Puel.

A name less familiar with audiences will be Denmark boss Hjulmand.

The Dane took his country to the semi-finals of the European Championships last summer and has admirers at Villa Park.

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