It was only last month that Steven Gerrard was being linked with the Newcastle job in the wake of their £300million takeover by a Saudi-led consortium.
The Rangers manager, following his side's Europa League victory over Brondby, was asked to address the speculation that he was in the running to replace the departed Steve Bruce on Tyneside.
'Do I look happy? Do I look settled? Don't ask me silly questions then,' he responded.
Yet it appears that Aston Villa are now next in line to ask him a 'silly question' — and test his resolve to stay at Ibrox.