Aston Villa have reportedly identified Saint-Etienne boss Christophe Galtier as a candidate for their vacant manager's job should Remi Garde turn the post down.
It has been suggested that former Lyon boss Garde has been in advanced talks with Villa about taking charge, although those talks have stalled over a dispute regarding coaching staff.
The Premier League club are currently looking for a new manager after deciding to part ways with Tim Sherwood on Sunday after eight months in charge.
According to The Sun, the Aston Villa hierarchy are keen to appoint a French manager, having signed Idrissa Gana, Jordan Ayew, Jordan Amavi and Jordan Veretout in the summer, and have identified Galtier as a candidate.
The 49-year-old has been in charge of Saint-Etienne since 2009, winning the club their first trophy in more than 30 years in 2013 when he lifted the French League Cup.
Galtier also has experience of English football, having worked as assistant to Alain Perrin at Portsmouth in 2005.
Steven Toplis
