Belgium manager Roberto Martinez is in the frame for the Aston Villa job, according to Sky Sports.
They claim that in an unusual twist to the recruitment process, Martinez could get the job if his current no.2 Thierry Henry doesn’t get the job.
The report adds that Aston Villa will use the international break to find their new man, with Henry, Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and Rui Faria all in with a shout.
Sky Sports reporter Jim White had said earlier that former Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov could also have talks.
OPINION
Why would Aston Villa fans expect the recruitment process to be smooth and devoid of drama? That’s not how football works and it’s certainly not how Villa have been doing things since they lost the play-off finals earlier this summer. Thierry Henry would be an exciting appointment, in the mould of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard and he’s still the very short favourite. He would represent a risk though, albeit a calculated one. However, Roberto Martinez would be a fantastic appointment. Much-criticised for under-achieving with the Belgium national side, Martinez came good in Russia this summer and would surely be a big hit at Villa Park. That might not be the view of all the fans – he seems to be a polarising manager – but we’re convinced he could lead them back to the play-offs, where they would hopefully have a happier time of it this season. If we were Villa fans, we’d be praying that Henry doesn’t get the job – we’re presuming both of them would be out of the question?