Aston Villa will make a formal approach for Rangers manager Steven Gerrard by the end of the week, according to a report.

The Villans are on the lookout for a new boss after parting company with Dean Smith on Sunday after three years in charge.

Smith departed Villa Park following a five-match losing run in the Premier League that leaves the club just two points above the relegation zone.

Gerrard, Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand and former Chelsea teammates Frank Lampard and John Terry soon emerged as the favourites to replace Smith.

The Daily Mail suggests that Gerrard is Villa’s preferred candidate, with the West Midlands outfit planning to reach out to Rangers in the coming days.

It is claimed that Villa are hopeful of reaching an agreement with the Gers in order to have Gerrard in place for their meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on November 20.

Gerrard has spent the past three-and-a-half years at Ibrox and guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title last term, ending Celtic’s nine-year dominance.

COURTESY