Aston Villa have drawn up a shortlist of six candidates to take over as manager after the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo but Steve Bruce has emerged as an early frontrunner.
The former Hull boss has long been admired at Villa Park but was unavailable in the summer. Club hierarchy believe his association with city rivals Birmingham, who he was in charge of between 2001-07, is thought to be surmountable due to the time that has elapsed.
David Wagner, who has taken Huddersfield Town to the top of the Championship on a limited budget, is also in the running due to his innovative approach to coaching.