Shortlist

William Hill have slashed the price of Alan Curbishley becoming the new Aston Villa manager from 10/1 to 4/1 following an overnight gamble that was sparked by a rumoured meeting with Randy Lerner. Conversely, Kevin MacDonald has been eased out from 4/6 to 5/4. Sven Goran Eriksson is the 5/1 third favourite with Gerard Houllier 10/1. The Mark Hughes gamble has ended and he is now 16/1 from a low of 3/1.

“It looks like Curbs met with Randy Lerner yesterday, so he must be on the shortlist; however the odds seem to suggest that Lerner may well stick with MacDonald,” said Hill’s spokesman Joe Crilly.

William Hill Next Villa Manager: 5/4 Kevin MacDonald; 4/1 Alan Curbishley; 5/1 Sven Goran Eriksson; 10/1 Gerard Houllier; 11/1 David Moyes; 14/1 Ronald Koeman; 16/1 Alex McLeish; 16/1 Mark Hughes; 20/1 Paul Lambert; 20/1 Martin Jol; 20/1 Jurgen Klinsmann; 20/1 Gary Megson; 20/1 Bob Bradley; 20/1 Gareth Southgate; 20/1 Phil Brown; 25/1 BAR

Further Information…Joe Crilly…0208 918 3746