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Aston Villa close in on Nigel Pearson

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Aston Villa are closing in on appointing Nigel Pearson as their new manager after chairman Steve Hollis reportedly held talks with the former Leicester City boss.

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The 52-year-old has now emerged as a front-runner for the position ahead of former Everton manager David Moyes, who had previously expressed an interest in the job.

But the Scotsman is now the bookies' favourite to replace outgoing boss Ronny Deila at Celtic this summer.

Villa have lost their last 10 games in a row, leaving them one defeat away from equalling a club record of 11 straight losses set in 1962-63.

Fans rounded on the players during Saturday's 4-2 defeat at home to Southampton and caretaker boss Eric Black told his players to handle the abuse.

Black said: "They are professional players and they've got to deal with it. It's as simple as that."

Meanwhile, disgraced captain Gabby Agbonlahor has been linked with a move to a club in the Middle East.

The 29-year-old's future at Villa is shrouded in doubt after the club suspended him when pictures emerged of him taking laughing gas hours after relegation.

It came after Agbonlahor, who has two years left on his contract, was pictured with a shisha pip in Dubai.