Aston Villa are considering an audacious move for Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.

Villa dismissed Steve Bruce last night after a run of one win in ten games and the hunt for the new incumbent of the manager's role has begun in earnest.

One name in the frame is that of Benitez, the manager who took Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The former Liverpool boss is thought to be unsettled at Newcastle, recently telling of his frustration at missing out on key transfer targets.

He accused the club of lacking ambition, something that can't be said of Villa's owners, who have targeted a return to the top flight with a string of high-profile signings including Tammy Abraham and Anwar El-Ghazi.

The only stumbling block could be Villa's CEO Christian Purslow, a man thought to have been held responsible by Benítez for his Liverpool exit.

Newcastle are winless after seven Premier League games and are already in the bottom three of the division.

The Verdict

This could be an incredible move by Villa and I can see it coming off, if they try hard enough.

Benitez is an interesting manager, often belligerent but almost always successful. he might satisfy the cravings of the owner for a high-profile name, but he would be one who knows the division too.

If he could be tempted away from the north east, it would be a big step forward for Villa.

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