Gerrard, Martinez top Aston Villa wishlist

Steven Gerrard and Roberto Martinez are on Aston Villa’s shortlist of possible replacements for Dean Smith.

Smith was relieved of his duties at Villa Park after five successive defeats in the Premier League, a poor run which culminated in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Villa are expected to speak to at least five or six managers – or their representatives – as they narrow down their search.

Both Gerrard and Martinez are in work, at Rangers and Belgium respectively, and so Villa know they would have to pay compensation.

Martinez is open to the possibility of a move back to the Premier League, having been with Belgium since 2016, during which time he has taken them to No 1 in the FIFA rankings.

ALSO READ: Gerrard vows to stay at Rangers for long spell

Gerrard, meanwhile, is a close friend of Villa CEO Christian Purslow from when the latter was managing director at Liverpool.

Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand is also on the list of possible names – he is well known by Villa sporting director Johan Lange. Hjulmand is seen as an outside option at this stage.

Villa’s bosses want a new head coach in position in time for the game against Brighton a week on Saturday, but will take their time to assess their options now there is an international break.

The next appointment is seen as a key one, as Villa try to push on to the next level and match the ambitions of their owners.

“Martinez of course has been Belgium boss since 2016, taking them to world No 1 in the FIFA rankings, but I understand he would be interested in potentially coming back to a management job in the Premier League.”