Villa Manager Favourite For Premiership Sack Race

William Hill have opened their book on who will be the first Premiership manager to part company with his club this season, and have made Aston Villa's David O'Leary their 2/1 favourite, just ahead of Manchester City's Stuart Pearce who, ironically, is William Hill's 6/1 favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.

William Hill make Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp 6/1 third favourite for the chop, just ahead of 7/1 chance Chris Coleman at Fulham, and also offer 16/1 Iain Dowie; Paul Jewell; Alan Pardew and Neil Warnock; 20/1 David Moyes; Glenn Roeder; 25/1 Sam Allardyce; Adrian Boothroyd;Steve Coppell; Martin Jol; No Manager To Go; 33/1 Gareth Southgate; 40/1 Sir Alex Ferguson; Mark Hughes; 50 Rafa Benitez; Arsene Wenger. 66/1 Jose Mourinho.

"This is always a fascinating market and we anticipate doing lively business - particularly once one or two clubs have lost their opening games!" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.