Express & Star

Ron Atkinson: David Moyes ideal for Villa

Former manager Ron Atkinson reckons David Moyes would be an 'ideal fit' to replace Remi Garde as Aston Villa boss.

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The former Everton and Manchester United chief will be among several candidates to take over at the end of the season.

Reports claim he would be willing to drop into the Championship to help try and lead Villa's revival.

Moyes has been out of work since being sacked by Real Sociedad in November but is keen for a return to management.

It is believed the Scot was approached by Villa twice before, first during their struggles under Paul Lambert and then late last year before Garde's appointment.

But, on both occasions, he had misgivings over the club's structure when it comes to transfer dealings.

But with new chairman Steve Hollis leading an overhaul which has already seen the departure of chief executive Tom Fox and sporting director Hendrik Almstadt, Moyes could be persuaded to become part of a revised set-up.

Garde, meanwhile, looks set to depart after a brief but frustrating reign which has yielded just three wins and left the club facing an almost certain relegation from the Premier League.

Former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has also been touted as a possible successor and Atkinson, who led Villa to a League Cup triumph in 1994, reckons both he and Moyes fit the bill.

Atkinson told the Express & Star: "They are what I would call proper managers and that is what Villa need now.

"Both of them would be a good fit. You need someone who can find players and if you look at Moyes' record at Everton, he brought in the likes of Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman, Leighton Baines and many more."

Meanwhile, Villa are close to a deal for defender Oscar Borg, following the 18-year-old's release by West Ham.

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