Martin O'Neill is on the verge of becoming Aston Villa's new manager.
Sources claim the charismatic O'Neill is '99% certain' to replace David O'Leary and return to Premiership football after a six-year absence.
It is believed a few personal and professional details have to be ironed out but the signs are O'Neill is ready to commit himself to the midlands club.
That would enable the Irishman to take charge of Villa's pre-season tour of Germany and Holland which begins with Saturday's clash in Hanover.
O'Neill has been chairman Doug Ellis' number-one target ever since O'Leary parted company with Villa just over a fortnight ago.
He has been weighing up whether to end a 15-month exile from the game after quitting as Celtic manager in May 2005 to look after his sick wife Geraldine.
