Rangers manager Steven Gerrard 'interested in becoming new Aston Villa boss'

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is reportedly interested in becoming the next manager of Aston Villa.

After Dean Smith was removed from the position on Sunday afternoon, Gerrard was quickly installed as the bookmakers favourites for the vacant role at Villa Park.

Numerous reports over the past 48 hours have suggested that the Englishman features highly on the Premier League club's shortlist, a consequence of his success at Ibrox and being friends with Villa CEO Christian Purslow.

According to The Telegraph, the 41-year-old is open to departing the Scottish giants over the coming days in order to return South of the border.

Encouraged by the development, Villa are now expected to make an official approach to Rangers later this week in the hope of holding formal discussions with their number one target.

Gerrard, who has won 125 of his 193 matches in charge of Rangers, has a contract until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.