John Terry is ready to return to Aston Villa but as Rui Faria's assistant in a new-look management team.

Faria's agent Jorge Mendes has been advising Villa's new owners after they axed Steve Bruce.

Thierry Henry,41, rejected the job after being approached by Ligue 1 Monaco instead.

Arsenal's French legend was keen to succeed Bruce and held talks but had his head turned by the emotional pull of his old club.

Henry, who is Roberto Martinez’s assistant with the Belgium national team, is now in line to replace Leonardo Jardim.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

It has seen plans for Terry,37, to work under Henry ditched and Terry, who played for Villa last term, had a shot at the job on his own.

But Villa's owners now look set to go for a Faria/Terry double-act as the pair know each other from Chelsea.

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Faria,43, was Jose Mourinho's long-term assistant before parting company with his Portuguese compatriot earlier this year.

Faria is keen to move into management, having spent 17 years working under Mourinho in Portugal and at Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan before leaving Manchester United at the end of last season.

(Image: Aston Villa FC)

Henry is expected to leave his role with the Belgium national team once he finalises his switch to Monaco.

Henry was wanted by Villa's wealthy Egyptian co-owner Nassef Sawiris who is a huge Arsenal fan who admirers the striker hugely and originally considered him to replace Bruce when he took over the club in July.

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But Villa are not rushing the appointment as they aren't back in action until a week on Saturday when they host Swansea.

CEO Christian Purslow is insisting on using as much of the international break as possible to interview several candidates including Brentford's Dean Smith.