Villa eye Latics boss

Aston Villa have reportedly set their sights on Wigan boss Roberto Martinez to replace the axed Alex McLeish.

Martinez is also a target for manager-less Liverpool and Villa are keeping tabs on the negotiations between the two parties, with owner Randy Lerner poised to make a move should Martinez fail to agree to a switch to Anfield. Villa tried to lure Martinez to Villa Park last summer but the Latics boss decided to remain at the DW Stadium. However, it is thought the Wigan boss may be open to a new challenge and could be tempted by a switch to Villa, should a deal with Liverpool fail to materialise. Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had been the front-runner in the race to take charge at Villa Park but Solskjaer has decided to remain in Norway for family reasons. Other potential candidates to replace McLeish include Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, who rejected the chance to talk to Liverpool, Norwich manager Paul Lambert and Brighton boss Gus Poyet.