Aston Villa are searching for a new manager after Steve Bruce was given his marching orders last week.

The former Manchester United man was sacked following a poor start to the season with Villa currently sitting in 13^th in the Championship table. Rumours persisted that Bruce could be sacked before the season commenced following a takeover of the club, but the Englishman was given the full backing of the board. After a string of bad results, his position at the club became untenable.

Despite their poor showings, Villa are still only four points behind the play-off places and promotion to the Premier League is not unrealistic if the new manager can turn things around quickly. Managing to keep hold of Jack Grealish in the summer will also be a welcome boost for whoever replaces Bruce in the dugout.

Many names have been linked with the job including former Arsenal striker – Thierry Henry. The French legend quit his punditry job earlier this year to focus on becoming a manager at club level. Currently the assistant manager to Roberto Martinez with Belgium, Henry turned down the chance to manage Bordeaux in the summer and is reportedly wanted by the Villains.

Both Rangers and Derby County followed a similar route when appointing Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard over the summer with both novices making a decent start to their managerial careers. For Villa, naming Henry is simply too significant a risk to take with the club in such a precarious position.

The former Barcelona is untested, and Villa need someone with experience to get the squad back on side and playing good football again. Appointing Henry would definitely grab the headlines – but Villa must use their head and seek other options.

Aston Villa fans, thoughts?