Villa 5/4 favourites in race to appoint manager

Aston Villa will appoint a permanent manager first according to Ladbrokes.

The firm make Villa their favourite (5/4) to announce a new manager before Chelsea (15/8) or Fulham (2/1) confirm they’ve filled their current vacancies.

Mark Hughes remains odds-on (4/7) for Aston Villa although his price drifts from a low of 1/10 last night. Carlo Ancelotti is now the subject of money at 3/1 with Steve McLaren also popular at 7/2.

Hughes has also been slashed from 14/1 to 5/1 for the Chelsea job pushing Harry Redknapp (6/1) down to third favourite from front runner Guus Hiddink (4/7).

The Fulham market remains the calmest of the three with Ian Holloway introduced at 16/1 last night

Alex Donohue of Ladbrokes said: “The Hughes gamble indicates Villa may be the team to wrap things up first although we’ve also seen money for him to stride down the Kings Road.”

he added: “Things remain quieter at the Cottage but it appears O’Neill & Jol are primary targets.”

Ladbrokes latest betting

Which club will appoint a permanent manager first?
Aston Villa – 5/4
Chelsea – 15/8
Fulham – 2/1

Next Aston Villa manager
Mark Hughes – 4/7
Carlo Ancelotti – 3/1
Steve McClaren – 7/2
David Moyes – 8/1
Rafa Benitez – 10/1
Gary McAllister – 12/1
Roberto Martínez – 16/1
Bob Bradley – 20/1
Alex McLeish – 20/1
25/1 bar

Next Fulham manager
Martin O’Neill – 6/4
Martin Jol – 5/2
Steve McClaren – 6/1
Alan Curbishley – 6/1
Carlo Ancelotti – 8/1
Lee Clark – 10/1
Gianfranco Zola – 10/1
Dave Jones – 10/1
Rafa Benitez – 10/1
Roberto Martínez – 12/1
Alex McLeish – 14/1
Bob Bradley – 16/1
Chris Hughton – 16/1
Ian Holloway – 16/1
Sven Goran Eriksson – 20/1

Next Chelsea manager
Guus Hiddink – 4/7
Mark Hughes – 5/1
Harry Redknapp – 6/1
Andre Villas Boas – 6/1
Marco Van Basten – 7/1
Jose Mourinho – 14/1
Pep Guardiola – 14/1
Frank Rijkaard – 25/1
Jurgen Klopp – 25/1
Rafa Benitez – 25/1
Manuel Pellegrini – 25/1
33/1 bar