Report: Aston Villa eye 48-year-old as next manager

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Roberto Martinez is another name on the Aston Villa wishlist as they consider their next manager, according to a report from The Times.

Villa announced on Sunday that Dean Smith had been sacked. It came with the Villans losing their previous five Premier League games.

The club now sit perilously close to the relegation zone heading into the international break.

A host of names have already been linked. Reports emerged shortly after Villa announced Smith’s departure that Steven Gerrard and Ralph Hasenhuttl were on the club’s wishlist.

The Times also notes that the pair are wanted. But they also suggest that there is interest in Kasper Hjulmand, Thomas Frank and Martinez.

Martinez, of course, is currently gearing up for the international break with Belgium. They are all but assured of a place at next year’s World Cup.

That tournament must surely throw a spanner in the works for any side looking to appoint Martinez.

Villa are surely not going to want the Spaniard juggling two jobs after their disappointing start to the season. So perhaps they have some hope that they can convince Martinez to leave his post.

Of course, it is not the first time that Martinez has been linked with the Villa Park gig.

It was reported in 2011 that the then-Wigan boss had been given permission to speak to the club. In fact, the Guardian reported that Owen Coyle was also in the frame.

Ultimately, Martinez would opt to stay with the Latics.

Martinez still has point to prove in club football amid Aston Villa interest

Martinez is currently in charge of one of the world’s best national teams. And he has done reasonably well.

However, some are not yet convinced about what level he is at as a manager.

He did brilliantly with Swansea and Wigan. But his tenure at Everton turned ugly. And it is difficult to argue with those who feel that Belgium should have achieved more during his time in charge.

So there may well be some Villa fans who are not too happy about the prospect of Martinez coming in 10 years on from that initial approach.