Roberto Di Matteo has been linked with the vacancy at Villa Park

Roberto Di Matteo was in Rome on Saturday for talks with Lazio about becoming their new manager, according to Sky sources.

Di Matteo, who has been deemed the 'preferred' choice for the Aston Villa job, would replace Simone Inzaghi, who took over the Serie A side on a caretaker basis on April 3 following the sacking of Stefano Pioli.

The former Chelsea boss, who stepped down at Schalke a year ago after a seven-month spell at the German club, was understood to have been at the top of Villa's wish-list, with new owner Dr Tony Jiantong Xia looking to make a marquee appointment to replace Remi Garde.

Aston Villa Chairman Steve Hollis has admitted he and Randy Lerner will recommend a preferred manager for the club to new owner Tony Xia Aston Villa Chairman Steve Hollis has admitted he and Randy Lerner will recommend a preferred manager for the club to new owner Tony Xia

Di Matteo led Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012, stepping up from his role as assistant to Andre Villas-Boas, only to leave six months later following a 3-0 Champions League defeat by Juventus.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche, David Moyes and ex-Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson are others to have been linked with the Villa Park vacancy.