Villa put Adams at top of target list

Aston Villa will make an official approach to offer Micky Adams their manager's job this week – and find out how big a battle they face to take him from Leicester City.

The Villa chairman, Doug Ellis, is keen to speak to Adams as his preferred choice to replace Graham Taylor, who resigned last week, but there could be a fight over compensation, with a possible £1million payment asked for.

Adams is currently mulling over a new contract at the club he took to promotion but the chance to go to Villa may appeal to him. However, a clause in his present agreement sets compensation levels at £1m. That could decide whether he makes the move.

Adams has already spoken to his Leicester bosses about the issue, but the crunch will come shortly as Ellis is unwilling to pay large fees for managers. He will start the ball rolling in earnest this week after a few days of various names putting themselves in contention, and some ruling themselves out.

Sources close to Ellis claim that Adams is his choice, as an up-and-coming manager in the mould of a young Graham Taylor who can also work on a tight budget.

Adams has been linked with several jobs in the past year, but pulled out of talks with Leeds United to speak to Leicester first. Adams has a year to run on his current deal and as the new one remains unsigned he could leave them and risk a legal wrangle. But equally he will want to know if Villa are serious about him and wish to offer him the job and not just an interview – a scenario that could damage his position at Leicester.