Kevin MacDonald to remain in charge of Aston Villa for next three matches

Remi Garde remains Aston Villa's preferred managerial target

Aston Villa are no closer to confirming their new manager with caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald now expected to take charge of the next three matches, Sky Sports News HQ understands.

According to midlands reporter Pete Colley, Remi Garde remains the club's No 1 managerial target despite widespread newspaper reports linking former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and Real Sociedad manager David Moyes with the post.

Tim Sherwood was sacked on Sunday following Villa's sixth straight Premier League defeat which left them rooted to the bottom of the table and without a win since the opening day success at Bournemouth.

Talks to bring Garde to Villa Park have hit a stumbling block however, after he insisted on having his former assistant Gerald Baticle join him at the club.

Baticle is currently assisting Hubert Fournier at Lyon, having joined the club when Garde was appointed as manager in 2011.

Kevin MacDonald will take charge of the matches against Southampton, Tottenham and Manchester City

As it stands, Lyon are preventing Baticle from speaking to Villa, a similar situation to when Newcastle approached the French side for permission to talk to the 46-year-old as they sought to appoint Garde following the departure of Alan Pardew in January.

MacDonald will take charge of the first team for Wednesday's Capital One Cup fourth-round tie against Southampton at St Mary's and Sky sources understand he will remain in charge for the Premier League games with Tottenham and Manchester City.

It is understood Villa chief executive Tom Fox wants Garde in place as manager before the home match with Everton on November 21.