Next Aston Villa boss: Thierry Henry and John Terry could form managerial 'dream team' as club mull Brendan Rodgers approach

Both men are understood to have impressed the club’s hierarchy after being interviewed following Steve Bruce’s sacking last week, with former Arsenal striker Henry now installed as the preferred contender and Terry lined-up to be his assistant.

But a formal job offer is yet to be made, with Villa still weighing up an approach for Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers.

The 45-year-old was on the shortlist drawn up by chief executive Christian Purslow but the Scottish club’s busy schedule - which included an Europa League tie in Austria on Thursday - means Villa are yet to make their move.

Rodgers appeals to the Villa board due to his experience of both winning promotion from the Championship with Swansea and working at clubs with big expectation, having managed Liverpool prior to joining Celtic.

Henry and Terry have far less experience but are viewed as exciting young managerial talents who can help to re-energise the club.

The former is currently employed as assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and quit a lucrative role at Sky Sports in the summer, in order to pursue a career in management.

He was heavily linked to the Villa job back in July following the arrival of the club’s new owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

Villa chiefs are, meanwhile, keen to bring Terry back due to his knowledge of the current team, having spent last season as captain when the club narrowly missed out on promotion through the play-offs.

The 37-year-old, five-time Premier League winner has made no secret of his desire to begin a managerial career and last month claimed to have “unfinished business” at Villa Park.

It is believed Terry’s return does not entirely depend on Henry getting the top job, and he could still be offered a role regardless.

At this point, it is not clear whether Terry would retire from playing, or continue as player-coach.

Villa sit 15th in the Championship after Saturday’s defeat at Millwall. An appointment is expected before they play Swansea on October 20.