Steve McClaren backed for Aston Villa job

Graham Taylor today backed Steve McClaren for the Villa hotseat and ruled Mark Hughes out of the running.

The former Villa chief reckons McClaren can bring his European experience to the claret and blues and rebuild his damaged reputation in England.

McClaren is on Villa's radar along with Hughes in the race to replace Gerard Houllier after the Welshman quit Fulham on Thursday.

Carlo Ancelotti, Martin Jol and Roberto Martinez have all been linked to the job since Houllier left by mutual consent on Wednesday following heart problems.

McClaren found success at FC Twente, winning the Dutch Eredivisie in 2010, after a disastrous spell with England where he was sacked after failing to qualify for Euro 2008.