Ole Gunnar Solksjaer

AVB To Swap Blue For Red? Golden Summer For Becks? 150/1 Owen To Chester…

Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has been the subject of a massive nationwide gamble to become the next Aston Villa manager and subsequently his price has crashed from 20/1 to 6/4 favourite in just over an hour. Despite his price collapsing, punters were still desperate to back the former United striker. Paul Lambert is the 2/1 second favourite, having been favourite for most of the time since Alex McLeish was sacked, while Roberto Martinez is 5/1.

“Solskjaer has Premier League pedigree as a player and has proved himself to be quite an efficient manager in his homeland and our punters think that he may now be ready to take the leap into the Premier League,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Rio Ferdinand was left out of Roy Hodgson’s Euro squad and William Hill make the Manchester United defender 8/13 to never play for England again (6/5 he does). John Terry is 1/4 to start England’s first Euros match against France, with Gary Cahill 1/2, Phil Jones 7/4 and Joleon Lescott 2/1.

“Rio Ferdinand has been one of England’s finest defenders over the last decade or so but it now seems that the sun has set on his international career,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Roy Hodgson named his England squad on Wednesday and since the former West Brom manager took over, Hills have seen plenty of support for the Three Lions at the European Championships. “Despite the very recent change in personnel, our punters appear to have faith in Roy who has the experience to stabilise the squad after a tumultuous few months,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

As things stand, Andre Villas-Boas is the 5/4 favourite to take the reins at Liverpool with Roberto Martinez 5/2 and Brendan Rodgers 5/1. “Whoever takes the job at Liverpool will have seriously big boots to fill, but AVB has pedigree despite his not so happy time at Chelsea and he looks like he may be the man to do the job,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

David Beckham is currently in Athens receiving the Olympic torch and Lord Coe has said it would be fantastic if he represented Team GB at the Games. William Hill think that Seb may well get his wish, offering 4/7 that he is present at the London Games as a competitor (5/4 he is not). He is only slightly longer, at 4/6 to start GB’s first match in London indicating that should he go, he will certainly be there to play and not just make up the numbers. GB are 5/1 to win gold in the Olympic Football.

“David Beckham has almost usurped Lord Coe as the face of the London Games and we think his efforts will be rewarded by representing Team GB in the summer,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Chelsea are currently preparing for the Champions League Final and William Hill are offering 7/2 that the Blues lift the trophy and Roberto Di Matteo is offered the manager’s position on a permanent basis. He is 9/4 to get the job if Chelsea lose in the Final although the most likely outcome is that Chelsea lose the Final and Di Matteo fails to get the job.

Michael Owen has been released by Manchester United and Hills reckon that the sharpshooter could be on his way to Stoke City, offering them at 9/2 to be Owen’s next club, although Everton could be waiting in the wings at 6/1 and Aston Villa 7/1. Should he decide to follow in his father’s footsteps, he is 150/1 to play for Chester FC, his boyhood club.

“Despite not quite fitting the bill at United, Owen showed in flashes that he is still a competent player and there will be no lack of suitors for him to have his pick of,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

Rio Ferdinand to play for England again: 6/5 yes; 8/13 no

David Beckham Specials

Make The GB Olympic Squad 4/7 Yes, 5/4 No
Play GBs First Game 4/6 Yes, 11/10 No
GB to win the tournament 5/1

Chelsea & Di Matteo Specials

Chelsea win CL & RDM TO get the job 7/2
Chelsea win CL & RDM NOT get the job 13/2
Chelsea to lose CL & RDM TO get the job 9/4
Chelsea to lose CL & RDM NOT get the job 10/11

Next Liverpool manager: 5/4 Andre Villas Boas; 7/2 Roberto Martinez; 5/1 Brendan Rodgers; 7/1 Frank Rijkaard; 8/1 Rafael Benitez; 9/1 Fabio Capello; 12/1 Didier Deschamps; 16/1 BAR

Michael Owen’s next club: 9/2 Stoke; 6/1 Everton; 7/1 Aston Villa; 9/1 Swansea; 10/1 Wigan; 16/1 Sunderland; 16/1 Blackpool; 16/1 Brighton; 20/1 Newcastle; 20/1 Sheffield Wednesday; 25/1 Bolton; 25/1 Liverpool; 25/1 Leicester; 25/1 Blackburn; 33/1 Leeds; 33/1 Wolves; 33/1 Burnley; 66/1 Tranmere; 150/1 Chester FC

Next Aston Villa Manager: 6/4 Solskjaer; 2/1 Lambert; 5/1 Martinez; 10/1 Mick McCarty; 14/1 Simon Grayson; 16/1 Hughton; Ranieri; Poyet; K Macdonald; McDermott…others on request

Joe Crilly
Press Officer

Twitter: @footy_joe

T: 0208 918 3746
M: 07850 518 164
E: jcrilly@williamhill.co.uk