"?Championship strugglers Aston Villa are lining up Huddersfield's David Wagner to take the position of new manager, after sacking Roberto Di Matteo following a run of one victory in eleven Championship games.
Should Huddersfield not give up their manager, who has lifted them to the top of the league in that period, then the Villa board are likely to turn to managerial veteran Steve Bruce.
Aston Villa sack Roberto Di Matteo, 124 days after he takes charge of the club
Breaking: https://t.co/e1jOpAu0Jp pic.twitter.com/kyAklesFKs
Villa have been significantly humbled following their first relegation from the Premier League since its inception in 1992, and the Midlands club now resides in 19th in the Championship out of 24 teams. They fear a relegation battle if results do not pick up, and have been investigating the possibility of Wagner coming to their aid at Villa Park.
Wagner was once the manager of the Borussia Dortmund second team when Jurgen Klopp was overseeing the firsts, and has given Huddersfield an unprecedented chance of reaching the top flight for the first time since 1972.
The likelihood of prising him away from the Terriers given their current run could be limited, so Bruce is in serious consideration.
The caveat is that the recent Hull boss managed arch-rivals Birmingham City between 2001 and 2007. Another possible contender, Ryan Giggs, is unlikely to be appointed.
I'm not 100% sure on David Wagner, not really tried and tested yet. Don't care about Steve Bruce's past, we can't afford to be picky. #avfc
Bruce was interviewed for the England job before Sam Allardyce's appointment, but has not been called upon since.
Di Matteo moves on after hearing shouts for his removal at Villa's 2-0 loss to Preston on Saturday, and the former great club searches for a second win of the season since beating bottom club Rotherham.