Alan Curbishley in frame for Aston Villa job
Former Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O'Neill as manager of Aston Villa.
Curbishley, out of football since ending his spell as West Ham boss two years ago, is understood to have been interviewed by Villa on Wednesday.
He joins reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald, who formally applied for the job on Tuesday after a spell as caretaker manager, in being in contention for the post.
Curbishley, who played 36 times for Villa in the 1983-84 season, carved out his managerial reputation in establishing Charlton as a top-flight club.
That would fit Villa's criteria of wanting a manager with Premier League experience, although this has not ruled MacDonald out of the equation.
Curbishley won a case of constructive dismissal against West Ham after parting company when several players were sold without his permission.
The 52-year-old has also played for Birmingham City, making 130 appearances for Villa's rivals between 1979 and 1983.
Villa are to speak to other potential candidates before making an appointment, which they hope will come before the next match at Stoke after the international break.
Ronald Koeman has also made it public that he would be interest in the role.
But speculation linking Mark Hughes and David Moyes to Villa is wide of the mark.
