Aston Villa will fire Roberto Di Matteo as manager.

The early indications are that Steve Bruce, who is out of work, and David Wagner, the manager of high-flying Huddersfield Town, are the leading contenders for the position.

Di Matteo’s fate was sealed on Saturday, when Villa slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Preston North End at the end of what was always seen as a defining week for the manager.