Birmingham Mail - Alan Curbishley is on the shortlist to succeed Martin O'Neill and has been interviewed by the claret and blue board. The former Charlton Athletic and West Ham boss met with the club's top brass yesterday as Randy Lerner closes in on an appointment.

Daily Mirror - Alan Curbishley's hopes of landing the Aston Villa job have been boosted after talks with the club.

Birmingham Post - Aston Villa's small squad size has been highlighted by the club registering just 22 of the 25 permitted senior player with the Premier League.

Daily Telegraph - The interviewing stage of Aston Villa's search for Martin O'Neill's replacement will draw to a close this week, with both Alan Curbishley and Sven Goran Eriksson understood to have already met the club's owner Randy Lerner.

Best of the rest

Daily Mail - Alex McLeish has fallen out with his Birmingham board after being accused of greed over contract talks.

Daily Mirror - Gareth Barry says the Premier League must introduce a winter break to save England from another World Cup disaster.

*The extracts on this page are taken from various newspapers and media outlets. They do not necessarily reflect the views of Aston Villa.