Nigel Pearson appears unlikely to take over the reins at Aston Villa

Former Leicester boss Pearson is the preferred choice of chairman Steve Hollis but that is on hold with the club in the process of being sold.

?But the impending new owner Tony Xia approached former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes – only to be turned down.

Roberto Di Matteo had been Xia’s No1 choice but he appears to have cooled on that after hearing that the former Chelsea manager has been having talks with Lazio.