Aston Villa hope to appoint Dean Smith as their new manager after Thierry Henry and Rui Faria turned down the Championship club.

Smith has emerged as the clear front-runner to succeed Steve Bruce, with Villa set to continue talks with Brentford and the 47-year-old over the next 24 hours.

The appointment would be a popular one, as Smith is a Villa fan who still attends games when his Brentford duties allow it.

John Terry remains in the frame for a coaching position under Smith and will earn around £1million-a-year.

Henry informed Villa on Tuesday night that he would not be accepting their offer, while it is understood Faria is not now under consideration.