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Dean Smith firmly in the frame for Aston Villa job after Rui Faria pulls out of the race

Dean Smith is firmly back in the frame to become Villa’s next boss after Rui Faria joined Thierry Henry in pulling out of the race.

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Henry is in the running to become Monaco’s new manager while Faria, Jose Mourinho’s long-time assistant, indicated he is not interested after being contacted by the club.

Villa are now poised to approach Brentford to enquire about speaking to Smith, with the possibility John Terry could come in as his assistant.

Managing Villa, the club he supported as a boy, has an obvious attraction for Smith.

But the former Walsall boss is also well settled at Brentford, while it remains unclear whether he would be willing to incorporate Terry on his coaching staff.

Smith has formed a strong management team with Richard O’Kelly at both the Saddlers and the Bees.

Though Villa have insisted they will not force Terry on any managerial appointment, chief executive Christian Purslow remains keen for the former skipper to return to the club in some capacity.

The 37-year-old, who announced his retirement from playing last weekend, was previously touted as a possible No.2 for both Henry and Faria.

Terry was also on Villa’s original shortlist to be Steve Bruce’s successor and it remains possible he could still land the top job, depending on how well talks with other candidates progress.

Villa still maintain an interest in Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, though their hopes of persuading the former Liverpool chief to leave Glasgow appear slim. Other names, beyond the club’s initial five-man shortlist, are also being considered

Terry spoke publicly for the first time on Wednesday about his desire to get into management, though he refused to answer direct questions about Villa.

He said: “It’s an ambition of mine and has been for a long time. I have ambitions and aspirations to go and be a coach or a manager in the long run but I am taking time to reflect, which is the most important thing for me after recently coming to the decision to retire.

“I am ready for the next chapter in my life and hopefully it bring at least half the success I had as a player. I’m excited, you’re a long time retired and I am ready for the next step – whatever that may be.”