Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa v Rapid Vienna: Kevin MacDonald still favourite to become permanent manager
MacDonald, the reserve team coach who has filled the breach as caretaker, has been told that he will be in charge of first team affairs until the international break, leaving him with Thursday's Europa League qualifier second leg against Rapid Vienna and Sunday's Premier League clash with Everton to stake his claim. [LNB]It is believed that Villa will begin to formally speak to potential candidates next week - private , tentative enquiries have already taken place with some representatives - but the club were reportedly impressed with the manner of MacDonald's response to the defeat to Newcastle. [LNB] Related ArticlesNewcastle United 6 Aston Villa 0Bradley wants to be Aston Villa managerColoccini: Newcastle's home form keyStephen Ireland felt 'unwanted' at CitySport on televisionTransfer TalkHe admitted he might have been 'naive' with his team selection. The board have privately let on that they will not be pressured into selecting a big name manager, insisting that the club is big enough in of itself to support a less well known manager if the fit is a good one. [LNB]MacDonald's 15 years with Villa would stand him in good stead in this regard. The timing of O'Neill's departure left the club having to focus entirely on preparing the team for their opening fixtures, but thanks to the international break the club will have a fortnight's gap before their fixture against Stoke on Monday, September 13. That time should be used to appoint O'Neill's replacement. [LNB]Since MacDonald's elevation to caretaker, the club's transfer policy has been - by his own admission - left on 'the backburner'. [LNB]However, peripheral players earning indecent wages still need to be shifted to conform with wage to revenue demands, and reinforcement is required if they are to sustain a challenge in the Premier League and Europe - they play Rapid Vienna in the Europa League this week. [LNB]O'Neill admitted as much before walking off into the sunset. [LNB]Until now MacDonald has been given no authority to scout for new players, leaving the club's transfer policy in limbo, but Randy Lerner - the club's owner - and chief executive Paul Faulkner met with MacDonald today to discuss the transfer market, which closes in a week's time. [LNB]The problem has not been helped by the departure of Ian Storey-Moore, who held the position of chief scout under O'Neill. Performing a similar role in an acting basis is Tony FitzGerald, but it is understood that any business is dependant on whether MacDonald gets the permanent role. [LNB]Stephen Ireland's arrival does not mean that the squad have been strengthened, considering he is a like-for-like replacement for James Milner, but on the bright side, the club do at least have some money to spend, after Milner joined Manchester City in a package deal worth around £26m. [LNB]Whether they are able to spend some of the cash depends on whether MacDonald is given the authority to sign players, or whether the club appoint someone else who is, in time. The clock is ticking. [LNB]
