Garry Thompson: Aston Villa must be bold with managerial appointment

The Arsenal and France legend is understood to have held initial talks over becoming Steve Bruce’s successor, with further discussions planned for this week.

Other candidates remain in the frame, including Brentford boss Dean Smith and former Villa skipper John Terry.

Henry, however, is the No.1 choice of owner Nassef Sawiris and, for now, the favourite.

The 41-year-old has never managed before and his appointment would be viewed as a gamble.

Yet Thompson believes most supporters would be happy for Villa to take the risk.

He said: “I’ve seen names like David Moyes and Sam Allardyce mentioned but while they’ve both been very good managers, you do wonder whether their time has passed.

“Villa went down the experienced route with Steve Bruce and it didn’t work out. Now it is time for something different. It needs someone with fresh ideas.

“Thierry Henry would be a gamble. There’s always a chance it could go horribly wrong. But I think most fans would be willing to take that chance.”

Henry is currently assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez and due to be working with the squad this week ahead of games against Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Thompson added: “When someone is working as a No.2, you can never be quite sure what they are contributing.

“This would be his (Henry’s) chance to step up. It’s certainly an appointment which would get people excited.”

Villa hope to have a new manager in place prior to their home game against Swansea on Saturday week, though they are not tied to that schedule, with chief executive Christian Purslow aware this is an appointment they must get right.

A new sporting director could arrive as early as this week. Valencia’s former director of football Jesus Garcia Pitarch, who has links to Jorge Mendes, is the favourite.

Villa sit 15th in the Championship after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Millwall.