Roy Keane in shock link with assistant role at Aston Villa
Roy Keane has emerged as a shock contender to assist Paul Lambert as the Villa boss closed in on his No.2 today.
Ireland assistant Keane is on the verge of joining the claret and blues after rejecting the chance to manage Celtic.
Despite the club's impending sale Lambert has been looking for new coaching staff since No.2 Ian Culverhouse and head of football operations Gary Karsa were sacked for unconfirmed disciplinary issues last month.
Gordon Cowans and Shay Given were promoted to aid the first team but Lambert wants a permanent assistant.
Joining Villa will allow Keane to continue his duties as Republic of Ireland No.2 to Martin O'Neill and also accommodate his role as an ITV pundit for the Champions League.
Keane joined Ireland under former Villa boss O'Neill in November 2013 after being out of football since he was sacked by Ipswich in 2011.
And the former Sunderland manager is believed to be reluctant to walk out on his country for a second time after his sensational bust-up with Mick McCarthy during the 2002 World Cup saw him quit. Keane is due to fly out to the United States tomorrow for Ireland's friendlies against Costa Rica and Portugal.
They said in a statement: "Roy Keane has confirmed he will travel to the US after deciding not to pursue talks with Celtic any further."
