Aston Villa: David Moyes keen on managing relegated club

David Moyes was sacked by Real Sociedad in November

David Moyes is interested in the Aston Villa manager's job but is yet to be contacted by the relegated club.

Nearly six months after being sacked by Real Sociedad, Moyes is keen to get back into football and is attracted by the challenge of reviving Villa.

The 52-year-old has watched them live recently and would be receptive to talks but is aware doubts over next season's budget could delay matters.

Nigel Pearson remains the favourite with bookmakers to take over.

The former Leicester City boss is without a club, having left the Foxes last June after keeping them in the top flight.

There is also backing for Mick McCarthy, Sean Dyche and Steve Bruce, who manage Ipswich, Burnley and Hull City respectively.

But former Everton and Manchester United boss Moyes interested Villa last autumn, following the departure of Tim Sherwood.

Moyes was still at Real Sociedad when Villa's head of recruitment Paddy Riley flew to Spain for talks.

He questioned the quality of the 12 players Riley had helped bring in at a cost of £55m and the talks did not progress very far.

Villa appointed Remi Garde instead, but the Frenchman left the club prior to relegation after just 147 days in charge.

Villa's football board will concentrate this week on its list of candidates after relegation was confirmed on Saturday, with Moyes likely to be among the names considered.

The Scot is also being linked with the Celtic job, with pressure mounting on Ronny Deila following the Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Rangers.

Villa dropped into the Championship after losing 1-0 at Manchester United and have collected just 16 points from 34 games this season.