Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has reportedly identified Chelsea caretaker boss Roberto Di Matteo as the man he wants to manage the club next season.
The 41-year-old Italian took temporary charge of the Blues in March following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas and, despite winning both the FA Cup and the Champions League earlier this month, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has yet offer him the manager's job on a full-time basis.
Di Matteo is likely to discover later this week whether or not he will remain at Chelsea next season and Villa are planning to contact him if he is released, according to the Daily Star.
Villa had previously targeted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but the former Manchester United forward opted to remain at Molde.