STEVEN GERRARD and Roberto Martinez top Aston Villa’s wishlist to replace axed Dean Smith.
Villa’s owners pulled the plug on Smith yesterday after an alarming slide down the table following five straight Prem defeats.
Chief exec Christian Purslow sacked Smith in a face-to-face meeting in the wake of Friday’s 1-0 defeat at Southampton.
Saints chief Ralph Hasenhuttl and Danish national team coach Kasper Hjulmand are also on Villa’s radar.
They are seen as ambitious bosses who can help stop the rot — and fulfil the owners’ dream of returning Villa to the European stage.
But John Terry’s lack of experience will prevent Smith’s former No 2 making a return to Villa Park as his replacement.
Villa are 16th in the league — just two points above the relegation zone.
Smith, 50, last month celebrated three years in charge at Villa Park.
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But Purslow said: “This year we have not seen the continuous improvement we have been looking for.
“We decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.”
Owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens feel they have a top-eight squad having spent some £200million since taking over four months before hiring Smith.
Martinez and Gerrard’s names have featured prominently in early talks over replacements.
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Landing Belgian boss Martinez or luring Gerrard from Rangers would be a huge sign of their intent.
Ex-Liverpool chief exec Purslow is a long-time fan of former Wigan and Everton boss Martinez.
Sporting director Johan Lange admires Hjulmand, plus fellow Dane and Brentford manager Thomas Frank.
