Source: Daily_Mail
Kevin MacDonald given two games to prove he's the man for top job at Aston Villa
Kevin MacDonaldhas two matches toconvince Aston Villaowner Randy Lernerhe is the man toassume full-time control atVilla Park. [LNB]The American billionaire wants togive the Scot first crack at succeedingMartin O'Neill and has notbeen swayed by Sunday's six-goaldrubbing at Newcastle. [LNB]MacDonald now has tomorrow'sEuropa League return against RapidVienna and the more testing gameagainst Everton on Sunday to provethat he is up to the task. [LNB] In with a shout: Aston Villa caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald (left) next to Gordon Cowans [LNB]Villa's hierarchy are hoping that thetrouncing in the North East was aone-off and have given MacDonaldtheir full support following a debriefat the club's Bodymoor Heathtraining base. [LNB]The Scot retains the overwhelmingbacking of Villa's dressing room although they will have to prove thatduring the coming four days withthe former Liverpool midfielder's fatenow in their hands. [LNB]Give him the job: Villa skipper Petrov has already backed MacDonald for the top job[LNB]Club captain Stiliyan Petrov hasalready given his backing to thereserve team coach's unofficial application. [LNB]Although MacDonald has notso far officially confirmed his interest in the post, it is understood that heis leaning towards it, given the considerablegoodwill that existstowards him at almost every level ofthe club following his 15 years'employment at Villa Park. [LNB]Lerner has already thanked theclub's permanent staff for the mannerin which the club rallied round inthe wake of Martin O'Neill's surprisedeparture. He gathered them at VillaPark late last week and delivered apep talk in which he said MacDonaldwas high in his thoughts. [LNB]The American billionaire has alsobeen particularly impressed byVilla's remaining backroom staffwith Tony McAndrew and GordonCowans adding first-team duties totheir normal coaching positions. [LNB]Following O'Neill's walk-out andthe departures of assistant JohnRobertson, coach Steve Walford andgoalkeeping coach SeamusMcDonough there is now considerablevoid that needs filling and theclub is keen to add an experiencedhand to oversee recruitment andformalise an improved scoutingstructure. [LNB]AMERICAN HERO BOB WANTS THE JOBBob Bradley, the US national coach, last night urged Randy Lerner to consider him as an alternative to Kevin MacDonaldfor the Villa job. He said: 'I would love to have a discussion. I feel I have the ability to work in Europe and it's something I'd like to do in my career.'[LNB]However, Lerner does not want toundermine the traditional job of themanager and would shy away fromappointing a 'technical director' although, in essence, he would becreating that role.[LNB]Former boss Graham Taylor wouldbe an ideal candidate to fill thatposition. However, having just takenon the chairmanship of Watford on apermanent basis, it would be adifficult decision for him to quitVicarage Road.[LNB]There was some good news on theinjury front for MacDonald, too.Carlos Cuellar, James Collins andGabriel Agbonlahor all came througha practice match at Bodymoor Heathunscathed as the club's caretakerboss has fresh options to considerbefore the arrival of Rapid Viennatomorrow.[LNB] Bob Bradley reveals interest in Aston Villa job - but Villa yet to reveal interest in himMilner delighted to shift focus to football after superb debut for CityMartin Keown: After 6-0, 6-0, 6-0... there's no case for the defence![LNB][LNB]
