Roberto Di Matteo will be named the new manager of Aston Villa on Friday, according to Sky sources.
And Di Matteo is set to be assisted by Steve Clarke, a former team mate at Chelsea during their playing days.
Former Chelsea manager Di Matteo has been top of Villa's shortlist since new owner Dr Tony Jiantong Xia acquired the club last month.
The 46-year-old Italian boss memorably guided Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2012 and is seen by Dr Xia as the man to guide Villa back to the Premier League, following their disastrous 2015-16 campaign.
Pete Colley of Sky Sports reported on Thursday afternoon: "There are reports out there saying that Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed. I can tell you that he has not signed his contract.
"They are still in negotiations, he and Aston Villa, and also there are talks over bringing Steve Clarke in as Roberto Di Matteo's assistant.
"It is my understanding this will all be resolved overnight and it will be announced tomorrow."
We spoke to Aston Villa fans on the streets of Birmingham about the imminent appointment of Di Matteo
Since leaving Chelsea in 2012, Di Matteo has mostly been out of management, with the exception of a fairly short stint at German side Schalke which ended in May 2015.
He has never managed alongside Clarke, although the duo have both spent time at Chelsea and West Brom, who Di Matteo steered to promotion from the Championship back in 2010.
Clarke was sacked by Reading last year
Clarke, who has previously worked as an assistant at Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham and Liverpool, subsequently led West Brom to their highest Premier League finish (eighth) in 2013.
He has been out of work since he was sacked by Championship side Reading in December last year.
