Wednesday 12 October 2016 18:36, UK
Former Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce is expected to be confirmed as Aston Villa boss on Wednesday evening.
Bruce, who has been out of work since leaving Hull City in the summer, confirmed on Goals on Sunday that he had held preliminary discussions over the possibility of succeeding Roberto Di Matteo at Villa Park.
He has since insisted that no deal had been agreed for him to become Villa's next manager, but club owner Dr Tony Xia revealed an announcement on an appointment would take place at 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Xia said on his official Twitter page: "18.30PM. Aston Villa. FightLikeLions #UTV."
Bruce's list of previous employers includes Villa's bitter rivals, who are due to host the season's first Birmingham derby on October 30, and Dr Xia has called on supporters to "stand together" with the club when the new manager is identified.
"Scheduled to announce the new manager tomorrow!" he wrote on Twitter on Tuesday night. "Time for all to stand together and back the team! Believe we've made the best try!"
Sean Dyche has also been prominent in the betting, but Sky sources understand the Burnley manager is not interested in dropping back down to the Championship to take the job.
Steve Clarke was placed in temporary charge following Di Matteo's departure, but the new boss should now be in charge for Saturday's live Sky Sports game against Wolves.
Villa go into it in 19th place in the Championship after just one win under the Italian.
