Odds On Next Man In The Hotseat

Lambert probably looks the best bet. Wouldn't mind Hughton, but doubt if he will come after the McLeish experience. Curbishley safe, but possibly out of the game too long. Benitez would be another O'Leary, a cheque-book manager with little commitment to the club. Poyet has done well at Brighton but I think he needs to prove himself at a higher level first, we can't afford another Graham Turner; Bradley sounds pretty unappealing, and I've said on here before that I really don't rate Martinez at all - he dines out on the odd sensational result at the end of the season, but his record at Wigan is much worse than that of Paul Jewell or Steve Bruce. I also wonder how the big egos in the Villa squad would react to being managed by a bloke who struggled to break into Walsall's first team. One name not on the list is Sid Cowans - he would command respect and has done well with the kids

Hopefully neither will Bob Bradey.

POYET OR LAMBERT. The fact I wrote it in capitals means you know I mean it.

Lambert would be my first choice but I'd also settle for Poyet, Martinez or Rodgers. I just hope it's a young progressive manager and Randy gives him a few quid to spend. Hurry up next season.

Benitez is a chequebook manager we couldnt afford even if we wanted him. Bob Bradley would be no less absurd than McLeish. Curbishley has been out the game too long and I'd like to see Poyet succeed at a higher level before risking him. I'd say Martinez, Hughton, Rogers and Lambert all have the potential to do a great job and would suit our mainly young, English (threadbare) squad. I'd love Holloway just because I love him, not because he's the best manager. Not even the slightest suggestion of a random European manager of course - thats not how we do business!

those knocking Martinez for Wigan's record since he took over should also look at the players that have been sold in the same time and the Swansea team that Rogers is getting so much credit for. Rogers has done brilliantly but most Swansea fans still acknowledge that the bulk of the side and the style of play was put in place by martinez. If we could get him in, get Zog playing like he did at Wigan with Bent up front we could be dynamite. Wigan create loads but cant convert, we have the firepower and players like ireland, bannan, weiman, delfouneso, gabby and bent would thrive in a style of play similar to that employed by wigan.

maybe we could add Lee Clarke to the list, he was doing wonders at Huddersfield and the fact that they are League one should not detract from the way they were playing

I'm surprised no one has yet suggested Swansea's manager. Does anyone rate his credentials?

"Ranieri wants the AV job". No, no, no!

If available in a few weeks time I think Di Matteo would be my choice.

One name has been mentioned and I pray it doesn't come off and that's Bruce. Hopefully Randy will not offer him the job as in no uncertain terms he's *****. As for Martinez, Wigan play some really good football and totally destroyed Newcastle, Ferguson even commented on how good they are technically so if he can bring that style of play to VP and get Bent firing I think a top 10 finish with a good cup run is a certainty next season. I hope he brings Maloney with him as well,although not the complete package for us he's been Wigans star player since joining them.

He won't stuff it again boys, I'm sure he has spoken to some people that know football this time. Randy's manager list - Martinez, Lambert, Rodgers, AVB, Poyet and maybe Raneri. Let's just get the new man in ASAP so he has good time to sort this mess

There are pro's and con's with all of these but I would be happy with pretty much any of: Lambert, Rodgers, Martinez, AVB, Di Matteo, Solskjaer, Laursen, Poyet... Certain negatives with all of them but enough positives about all of them too. It's a much healthier list than the last two times we have needed a manager anyway.

Let's face a few facts. The team has gone rapidly downhill since the idiot Frenchman took over and Alex McL came from across the city. While the latter certainly hasn't done a good job, it has to be said that many fans never even gave him a chance because he came from the blue side of the city - not a very good environment to to work in. Now we are without a manager, let us take stock. What manager in his right mind would take us on. Mr McLeish was told he had to cut the wage bill and still our Chairman and CEO expected European football at the end of the season. There stands another major factor in our demise in such a short time, blinkered, short-term thinking, offering feeble excuses for lack of funds being provided. Don't expect anyone of note for our new manager, the restrictions place on any candidate will be too great.

AVFCinOz - yes we had restrictions for this season, but i would expect RL to pump some cash cash in this season...

I would be happy with any of the following. Ranieri, AVB, Holloway, Guardiola, Benitez, Sven, Lambert, Poyet, Laursen, Benitez or Rodgers. Lets face it, before people turn their noses up at managers think about what we have just had and any of those would be better by far!

AVFCinOz. Houlier had to pick up the pieces of the fallout from MON doing one days before the season started which was only made worse by the faffing of macdonald. He made a huge mistake trying to change the culture of the club and the playing style far too quickly but the potential was there to see towards the end of his time in charge (and Lerner showed his support by making funds available Bent, Makoun). Mcleish was given a tough job to do, cutting the wage bill and rebuilding a side. He failed during his first summer when he didn't move out some of the high earning trouble makers and bring in some hungry younger players. He also had £20M to spend (more than many of the mentioned managers have had at any time in their careers). The course of the season has given many of the younger players a chance to gain experience, we have one of the best keepers in the league along with one of the best goalscorers and have had such a bad season that it is almost impossible not to do better. Without improving the squad at all, a half decent manager who could motivate the players, boost confidence (or at least not send them out in the second half of every game in fear of losing) and encourage attacking would have won far more games last season. I lost count of the number of times we had the lead or were dominant only to sit back and desperately try to hold on. As far as targetting europe, do you really think that was the aim? The club said what the fans wanted to hear but I am certain everyone would have been happy with a mid table finish, reduced wage bill if the football had at least been watchable and the fans hadn't voiced their displeasure so obviously (especially with season ticket sales being as low as they are). Every half decent manager in the game (along with pundits, players etc) who looks at the stats or watches any of our games from last season will feel confident that they can do better.

those saying lambert over Martinez and Rodgers ask yoursekf do you want a big target man like Holt/Morrison upfront type of downgraded football we got under Mon? quite frankly i prefer the slick passing and Victor Moses and Sigurdsson's of these world than that. Lambert would suit the baggies i can see Holt playing there and fitting in but at Villa expect a downgrade of Mon Part 2 performances