Roberto Martinez bookmakers favourite for Aston Villa Job

Roberto Martinez, Wigan Athletic

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Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is the slight bookmakers favourite to take over at Aston Villa as he looks set to make a decision about his future.

Martinez is 6/4 (2.50) with bet365 to move to Villa Park as a replacement for Gerard Houllier. The Villians have made an approach for the 37-year old who has kept Wigan in the top flight since he took over in 2009.

Dave Whelan, Wigan Athletic’s chairman, has praised the club’s Premier League rivals for their conduct in pursuing Martinez.

“Villa have been absolutely wonderfully clean in everything they’ve done, I have to say that.

Mr Whelan added, “I’ve put certain things to Roberto, but if he wants to go I will allow him to go. I have too much respect for him to say that he cannot do what he wants to do.”

Previous favourite Mark Hughes, who was trading as short as 1/3 a week ago, has drifted to 2/1 (3.0). ‘Sparky’ was mooted to take over after he left Fulham but is understood to be behind Martinez in the Villa pecking order.

Other contenders who have seen their odds plummet are Martinez’s compatriot Rafael Benitez (25/1) and Carlo Ancelotti (25/1). Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner is believed to have gone cold on hiring Benitez after the Spaniard was reputed to want a significant budget to improve the squad.

Carlo Ancelotti has since decided to take a year’s break from the game after his sacking by Chelsea. Gerard Houllier’s assistant Gary McAllister is trading at 40/1 (41.0) to get the job on a full-time basis with former England boss Steve McClaren @ 20/1 (21.0).

Aston Villa fans angling for a Martin O’Neill return can back the Northern Irishman @ 50/1 (51.0). The former Leicester City and Celtic manager was linked with Fulham before the job went to Martin Jol.

Next Aston Villa Manager Odds (bet365)
Roberto Martinez 6/4 (2.50)
Mark Hughes 2/1 (3.0)
Owen Coyle 8/1 (9.0)
David Moyes 10/1 (11.0)
Claudio Ranieri 16/1 (17.0)

Selected Others
Frank Rijkaard 33/1 (34.0)
Gary McAllister 40/1 (41.0)
Louis Van Gaal 50/1 (51.0)
Martin O’Neill 50/1 (51.0)

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