The current Canaries boss leads the market ahead of Roberto Martinez and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer to take the Villa Park vacancy following the sacking of Alex McLeish on Monday
Norwich City boss Paul Lambert remains the 15/8 (2.87) favourite for the Aston Villa job despite an industry-wide gamble on Mick McCarthy on Tuesday night.The former Wolves boss came crashing down in price as rumours were rife of another Midlands manager playing the Villan, but Sportingbet make him 16/1 (17.0) behind both Lambert and Roberto Martinez in the betting.
Martinez is chalked up at 4/1 (5.0) to take the job he resisted last summer, though Wigan owner Dave Whelan has been quoted as saying the young Spaniard can only leave for a “big, big club.”
He also expressed doubts over whether Villa had the pedigree to tempt his manager away from the DW Stadium. Although the Spaniard might also be tempted by the vacancy at Anfield, should he be offered the position.Aston Villa Chief Executive Paul Faulkner publically disagreed, while also revealing an intention to make a swift appointment this summer. However, should Lambert turn down the move to Birmingham the race could be blown wide open.
Outsiders attracting attention have been Birmingham City's Chris Hughton at 25/1 (26.0), Brighton's Gus Poyet at 20/1 (21.0) and the unemployed Alan Curbishley at 25/1 (26.0), but could a name not yet mentioned enter the fray?
Rafael Benitez could be a 20/1 (21.0) option, having previously expressed an interest in returning to manage in England but with Andre Villas-Boas in prime position for the Liverpool job, while 40/1 (41.0) Paulo Di Canio has caught the eye with League Two champions Swindon this term.
If the process is anything like that endured by Villa fans last summer, it seems unlikely the men at the top of the betting will be in charge. Pick the right man now and he could be a huge slice of value by the time that press conference is announced.
Next Aston Villa manager:
Paul Lambert: 15/8 (2.87)
Roberto Martinez: 4/1 (5.0)
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer: 4/1 (5.0)
Mick McCarthy: 16/1 (17.0)
Gus Poyet: 20/1 (21.0)
Rafael Benitez: 20/1 (21.0)
Chris Hughton: 25/1 (26.0)
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Jim Knight is Betting Editor at Goal.com and has been tipping football games since he was old enough to place a bet. He is a Leicester City fan, writer and member of the We Are Going Up Podcast
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