Aston Villa round-up: Scotsman snubs managerial role; Key member of staff faces axe

Moyes should take any chance he gets to improve his reputation after his two previous jobs, however if he believes that Everton are interested, it is extremely likely that they would be his first choice. Prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia; who is set to take over at the club as owner once The Premier League and Football League do their research on the Chinese billionaire, has said in various interviews that a manager should be in place by the end of the week.

With yet another target slipping through Villa’s fingers, this leaves two favourites still in the race. However, it is not beyond Aston Villa to appoint a complete outsider. Fans will not be happy with this however, unless the new manager can prove his pedigree on the battlefield that is Championship football.

With Roberto Di Matteo and Nigel Pearson both in contention for the job, it seems likely that it will eventually fall at the feet of the former Leicester City manager.

Prospective new owner Dr Tony Xia has a team behind him in his current takeover attempt, say the Birmingham Mail. Dr Xia has received a lot of scrutiny from the press and Villa fans as many are skeptical, especially surrounding the tycoon’s wealth. The man is currently going through the Owners and Director’s test by the Premier and Football League to make sure that he is the right fit.

Former Reading director Chris Samuelson is thought to be acting as an advisor to Dr Xia, and is also being considered for a deputy chairman role. He was a key figure at Reading and knows the Championship like the back of his hand. It will be interesting to see if Steve Hollis stays on as chairman. Jamie Banfill is thought to be a part of Samuelson’s group and thought to have played a key part in negotiations.

Keith Wyness is also linked with a CEO role at the club. He is an experienced and like-able man, and has impressed in his roles at both Aberdeen and Everton. Many considered that Wyness would play a key role in bringing David Moyes to the club, but it seems as if that has petered out.

A key member of the past regime of Aston Villa’s hierarchy; Paddy Riley, is facing the axe by Dr Tony Xia according to the Birmingham Mail. The director of recruitment and scouting has found himself in hot water in recent months, with many fans calling for his sacking alongside other staff such as Tom Fox and Henrik Almstadt due to his poor recruitment technique last summer.

More than 12 players that arrived last season were targeted by Riley rather than then manager Tim Sherwood, which left the ex-manager frustrated and left the club with £55 million less. Most; if not all, of these players that were recruited failed to impress and many may even leave this summer.

It is thought that Brian Little may take over the role at the club, as Dr Xia considers all of his options in that area. Xia is said to want to keep the last man that won a major trophy at Villa Park on board and Little seems eager to help. The former player and manager holds the club in his heart, and the fans respect the man who became re-involved during the board shake up last year.

Little is thought to be a key member of the board if he does not take up the director role.