Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flattered to be 'favourite' to be named Aston Villa manager

Molde manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is flattered to be considered the front-runner for the vacant Aston Villa job but expects other candidates to challenge him.

The former Manchester United forward met with Villa representatives on Friday after being flown to Birmingham by private jet.

Solskjaer does not think details of Villa's interest being made public have helped his cause and even though he remains the favourite both with bookmakers and fans to succeed Alex McLeish he feels other candidates may soon catch him up.

"It is always flattering. When I was a footballer and United wanted to buy me I was flattered," he told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.

"Players want to be on the highest possible level and it's the same with me as manager.

"It may well be that two, three names will sound more interesting than mine and then maybe the mood turns.

"I know that Villa thought it was a bit boring because they wanted the process to go quietly.

"There was some suggestion I had turned them down and all sorts of things.

"I do not know who they (Villa) are considering and what they are going to do.

"I do not go and check the phone to see if they have called me. They will take the time they need.

"It's not something I think about. As long as I have a contract and work in Molde I do until something else happens."

PA