Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has flown back to Birmingham from the United States to step up the search for Alex McLeish's replacement - but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running.

The former Manchester United star, currently manager of Norwegian side Molde, was interviewed by Lerner over the weekend.

But Solskjaer has opted not to be considered McLeish's successor for personal reasons and family commitments.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.

Villa are adamant they are still working through a shortlist of possible candidates which is understood to include Brendan Rodgers (Swansea), Paul Lambert (Norwich) and Roberto Martinez (Wigan).

Domingos Paciencia, who led Braga to the 2011 Europa League final, is also believed to be interested in the Villa post but is down the pecking order with Lerner and Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner.

He managed the Porto B team during Jose Mourinho's spell in charge of the club.

Rodgers and Lambert impressed with their respective clubs during their first season in the Premier League although Press Association Sport understands Villa have yet to approach either club.