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Surprise candidate shoots up list to be next Aston Villa manager
GARY NEVILLE has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over at Aston Villa just days after being sacked as Valencia manager.
Gary Neville is 12/1 to become Aston Villa's new manager
Former Manchester United full-back Neville lasted less than four months at the Mestalla.
He left yesterday with a record of just three wins in 16 La Liga games that sees Valencia nervously looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.
Nigel Pearson, Mick McCarthy and Steve Bruce are also said to be in the running, while United assistant Ryan Giggs is behind Neville in the price list.
Rock-bottom Villa are 12 points from safety with just seven games remaining and Newcastle and Sunderland - both in the relegation zone - have a game in hand.
Were Neville to take over he could be on the touchline for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday (12.45pm) and Bournemouth next week before heading to Old Trafford midway through April to face his former club.