This is pure speculation but will come as a relief to many Villa fans that Steve McLaren has slipped to 5th favourite in line to get the Villa job according to the bookies. However, I wouldn’t follow the odds too carefully as not only do they keep changing, but most suggest that Hughes is still the favourite despite club sources which strongly suggest otherwise. Mat Kendrick, the Villa correspondent for Birmingham Mail went as far as to say he would be ‘amazed’ if the Welshman took over the post.He went on to say that the club are thought to have two out-and-out favourites, with one of those being the main target to replace Gerard Houllier. It looks like it may well be two of three of the apparent ‘frontrunners’ and speculation is rising that Rafa Benitez may be one of them.
Both men are believed to have Premier League experience and in my opinion the talk revolving around Benitez may be a smokescreen for a move for either Bolton’s Owen Coyle or Wigan’s Roberto Martinez. This is based mainly on a hunch so don’t quote me on that but I for one would prefer one of the two latter coaches to the more experienced Benitez.
It is understood that McLaren’s representatives were sounded out, but the former England boss is seen as a third choice target at best with a decision looking likely to be made over the weekend.
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