Gossip column: Sherwood, Hernandez, Gerrard, Ivanovic

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Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has emerged as the early favourite for the vacant Aston Villa job following the sacking of Paul Lambert. (Birmingham Mail), external

Sherwood and United States national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann are early candidates for the Aston Villa job. (Mirror), external

Former Villa striker Stan Collymore has urged the club not to appoint Sherwood as Lambert's successor and has called for "a very experienced manager" to get the job. (Talksport), external

Aston Villa are also weighing up a move for Burnley's Sean Dyche as replacement for Lambert after impressing the club with his management style and ability to work on a budget. (The Sun - subscription required), external

Former Arsenal defender Scott Marshall - who worked with Lambert at Wycombe Wanderers and Norwich - has been asked to prepare the Aston Villa side for Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie at home to Leicester. (Guardian), external

There are six candidates who could be in the frame to take over from Lambert at Villa - with names including Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, Derby's Steve McLaren and even former Manchester United manager David Moyes. (Telegraph), external

Some of the longer odds candidates with the bookmakers for the job include Brentford manager Mark Warburton, former Villa assistant manager Roy Keane, Bolton's Neil Lennon and out-of-work former Southampton and Reading manager Nigel Adkins. (Independent), external

West Ham are considering a move for 26-year-old Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez - who is on loan at Real Madrid - according to Spanish paper AS, reports the Star. (Daily Star), external

Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo has ended his Premier League nightmare by signing for boyhood club Boca Juniors in Argentina - his fourth different club in 13 months. (Mirror), external

Manchester United still have a slim chance of signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus, despite the 25-year-old signing a new contract. The Red Devils could land the Germany forward if they stump up £50m. (Daily Star), external

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic may face a ban for violent conduct after appearing to attempt to headbutt and put a headlock on James McCarthy. (Daily Mail), external

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho walked out of his post-match interview with the BBC and threatened to abort his news conference when asked if he was concerned what retrospective action Ivanovic may face. (Guardian), external

Steven Gerrard is unlikely to play for Liverpool again this month after suffering a hamstring strain in the 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday. (Times - subscription required) , external

Crystal Palace could face an FA charge after Newcastle star Fabricio Coloccini was struck on the head by a coin at Selhurst Park on Wednesday. (Sun - subscription required), external

Newcastle manager John Carver says Coloccini came within "an inch of being blinded" and called on authorities to act after his player was struck. (Daily Express), external

Jose Mourinho has revealed he wants to remain in charge of Chelsea for the next decade and bring plenty of silverware to Stamford Bridge - starting with this season's Premier League title. (Daily Mail), external

Manchester City goalkeeper Willy Caballero was quick to re-enact James Milner's goal-scoring celebration. The midfielder grabbed City's third goal in their 4-1 win at Stoke City, and the keeper posted this on his Instagram page:, external

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Leroy Fer remains upbeat despite being sidelined for up to 10 weeks with a knee injury. Writing on Twitter,, external the Dutch international said: "Always keep your head up and smile... Thanks everyone for the support! I'll work hard to come back stronger!"

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has been crowned the hottest player in the Premier League following a poll of American women. Burnley topped the overall league of attractive-ness, with the hottest team overall. (Mirror), external