Birmingham Mail: Gerard Houllier has emerged as the frontrunner to become Villa's new boss - after Randy Lerner met with all of the contenders for the Villa Park vacancy.

The Sun: Sven Goran Eriksson has been ruled out of the Aston Villa job - leaving the door open for Gerard Houllier or caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald.

Birmingham Mail: Andreas Weimann's first-team hopes will have to be put on hold for a couple of months after it emerged he needs surgery on his ankle problem.

Daily Mail: Gerard Houllier is set for a dramatic return to English football with Aston Villa.

Guardian: Gérard Houllier could make a surprise return to football with Aston Villa after it emerged last night that the Frenchman is under serious consideration for a director of football role that would see him work alongside Kevin MacDonald.

Independent: The former Aston Villa player Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O'Neill as manager of the club.

Sky Sports: Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged the latest batch of academy graduates to be patient as they adjust to the rigours of Premier League football.

Sky Sports: Veteran goalkeeper Andy Marshall has rejoined Aston Villa on a one-year contract to provide cover in the squad.

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