Nigel Pearson odds on for Aston Villa job

Former Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson has been installed as odds-on favourite to take over at Aston Villa, as manager Remi Garde teeters on the brink of the sack.

Former Foxes boss and Albion assistant manager Pearson is the bookies' favourite.

He's ahead of former Birmingham City chief Steve Bruce – with Wales chief Chris Coleman being the latest name thrown into the mix.

Both Bruce and Pearson are believed to be interested in the job, should Garde become the latest victim of new executive chairman Steve Hollis's cull.

The club is preparing for almost-certain relegation to the Championship. However, Villa may have to opt for an interim manager should Garde get the bullet.

Pearson and Bruce are believed to be unlikely to want to take the job before the end of the season.

Both front-runners are eager to weigh up their options, with Pearson also keen on a return to management in the Premier League.

And Bruce waiting to see how his Hull City side fare in their own quest for promotion back to the top flight.

Some supporters have expressed a wish to see a Villa 'dream team' pairing of Brian Little and Gordon Cowans taking over team affairs until the summer.

Little was last week installed as a football adviser to the Villa Park board and Cowans remains on the coaching staff.

Reports last night suggested Garde was set for talks with Hollis, who last week oversaw the departure of chief executive Tom Fox following the earlier exit of sporting director Hendrik Almstadt.

Villa are currently 12 points adrift of safety with just seven games remaining.