Brendan Rodgers 'in line for Villa job' if Tim Sherwood goes

Axed Liverpool boss, Brendan Rodgers, could be in for a swift return to the Premier League as Villa's new manager should Tim Sherwood fail to turn around his club's fortunes, according to reports.

Picking up one point in seven games has reportedly left Sherwood on the brink, with the next two games crucial to his survival.

A trip to Jose Mourinho's surprise strugglers at Stamford Bridge this Saturday comes before a must-win home match against Swansea the following weekend.

Rodgers, who was sacked after Liverpool's draw with Everton before Jurgen Klopp was brought in to replace him, impressed at Swansea before landing the job at Anfield, winning promotion with the Welsh side in 2011.

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He is already favourite to replace Sherwood at Villa Park, in the eventuality that the former Tottenham boss is given the boot.

Meanwhile, Villa striker Rudy Gestede has been named as one of 37 nominees for the African Footballer of the Year award.

The big Benin international, who turned 27 on Saturday, scored 22 goals in 44 appearances for Blackburn Rovers last season before signing for Villa in the summer. He's won seven caps for Benin and scored three times.