Premiership: Villa Park guessing game about to end

The guessing game continued as Aston Villa were due to name their new manager at a lunchtime press conference.

It was uncertain whether chairman Doug Ellis would opt for a high-profile replacement such as George Graham or Roy Hodgson.

Another alternative was to appoint a stop-gap such as Graham Taylor, Peter Schmeichel or the incumbent Stuart Gray-John Deehan combination.

There has been non-stop speculation as to who will replace Gregory since he quit the club 12 days ago to take charge at Derby.

But Ellis, under pressure from supporters to quit since Gregory resigned, has kept his cards close to his chest.

Graham has been a favourite with the bookmakers and bringing in such a leading personality may appease supporters calling for the head of Ellis.

But sources close to the Scot have been playing down such suggestions.

Ex-Villa manager Taylor has been linked with a return to the hot-seat on a temporary basis, and sources close at the club were suggesting late that he could be a strong contender.

Former Blackburn boss Hodgson, who parted company with Udinese earlier in the season, was also the subject of speculation after being spotted watching Villa in action at Fulham on Saturday.

Those three appear to be among the contenders, but Ellis may yet opt to keep Gray and assistant manager Deehan in charge until the end of the season.

That would give him breathing space to make a more thorough search for Gregory's replacement.