Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has emerged as the shock favourite to take over at managerless Aston Villa.

Norwich City boss Paul Lambert has been in the top two of the bookies' lists ever since Alex McLeish was sacked on Monday but Solskjaer is now as short as 5/6 to take over at Villa.

Lambert, Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers and Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez are all still believed to be on Villa owner Randy Lerner's shortlist.

Lerner reportedly flew in to England yesterday to head up the search for the club's new manager.

Solskjaer was a big fans' favourite at Old Trafford and coached their reserve side until he took over the manager's job at Norwegian club Molde.

He has impressed in that role and has guided his side to second place in the early stages of the 2012 Norwegian domestic season, winning all five of his home matches. Villa won just four all season.

Lambert's odds are still as short as 11/8 for the Villa post and he is as low as 14/1 to take over at Liverpool.

Late this afternoon, BBC Sport said a source close to the Birmingham club told them that no definitive shortlist had been drawn up. There were also reports that Martinez had been given permission to speak to Liverpool.