Roberto Di Matteo has held successful talks with Aston Villa chairman Steve Hollis and could be named as the club's new manager this weekend, according to a report.
The 45-year-old, who guided Chelsea to Champions League success in 2012, is said to have arrived back in the Midlands this week after deciding against taking on the Lazio job.
According to the Birmingham Mail, the Villans will now offer the Italian the vacant job in the coming days once a few minor details are ironed out.
Di Matteo emerged as the frontrunner to take over at Villa Park earlier this month, but the recently-relegated side were also thought to be keeping tabs on ex-Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson.
The same publication suggests that Pearson will now open talks with Derby County, who are also on the lookout for a manager after missing out on promotion to the Premier League last season.