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Henry, Terry for Aston Villa’s Job as New Managers

Aston Villa hope to name Thierry Henry as their new manager this week.

And the ambitious Championship club could be set to bring back John Terry too in a new-look dream team as Henry’s assistant.

Arsenal legend Henry is in final discussions over the post to beat off competition from Brendan Rodgers and Rui Faria.

Villa are hopeful of agreeing an easy settlement with the Belgian FA for Henry’s services as his contract as assistant has an exit clause.

It would be Henry’s first senior management role in his own right after impressing Villa’s new wealthy owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

The pair initially considered appointing Henry, 41, as soon as they bought the club in July but eventually opted to stick with existing boss Steve Bruce.

Yet a dire run of just one win in 10 matches saw Bruce axed amid mounting fan fury.

Chief executive Christian Purslow has now been instructed to finalise a deal for Bruce’s successor this week in the international break.

Henry worked with Roberto Martinez during the World Cup when Belgium finished third.

But he is now determined to make his name a boss too despite rejecting a chance to coach Bordeaux in France in August.

The Ligue 1 club baulked at Henry’s personal demands of around £40,000-a-week.

But Villa are ready to sanction them as Sawiris admires Henry hugely from being a London-based Arsenal fan.

A potential return for Terry would also be popular after he made 32 league appearances last term as skipper and led Villa into the play-off final.

He has recently been coaching Chelsea’s U19s on a non-contract basis after rejecting a move to Spartak Moscow to continue playing.

Henry will face a huge challenge to get Villa back into the promotion race after a 2-1 loss at Millwall left the club 15th – six points off the bottom three.

The two other contenders on the three-man Villa short-list are Celtic’s Rodgers and Faria.

Rodgers is frustrated at a lack of financial backing in the summer at Celtic.

While Jose Mourinho’s old No.2 Faria was pushed by super-agent Jorge Mendes.

Out-going boss Bruce will have his one-year rolling contract paid up in full for his settlement of nearly £2m.

Villa also expected to name a director of football soon who will take a hands-on role in transfers.

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