Former Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo closes in on Aston Villa job

Former Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo is set to be handed the Aston Villa job and charged with rebuilding the relegated crisis club. 

Roberto Di Matteo held more talks with Villa officials on Thursday about the vacancy. The club now hope to name the Italian by the start of next week as Remi Garde's successor. 

Current chairman Steve Hollis is finalising the deal as Di Matteo is the preferred candidate of new Chinese owner-in-waiting Dr Tony Xia. 

Aston Villa also interviewed David Moyes and Nigel Pearson but Di Matteo’s success at Chelsea, winning the Champions League in 2012, has swung it.