The highly-regarded former Leicester and Celtic boss still had to work out a few details on his contract but was expected to be confirmed in his new job at a press conference.

Describing it as "the worst-kept secret in football", the Birmingham Mail newspaper said the Northern Irish manager would take charge with immediate effect from Friday.

It would give O'Neill just two weeks to prepare the club -- manager-less and in near chaos amid complex takeover talks -- for the start of the new English Premiership season.

His first task will be to lead the club's pre-season tour to Germany and the Netherlands, beginning at the weekend.

O'Neill, 54, has been the fans' overwhelming favourite to take over from David O'Leary, who left last month following an internal investigation into the publication of a statement criticising the club, allegedly put together by players.

O'Neill worked miracles at lowly Leicester before winning three Scottish Premiership titles in five years at Celtic, also guiding them to a UEFA Cup final.

He left football in May 2005 to look after his wife, who was being treated for cancer.

Aston Villa are currently in a state of flux, with veteran chairman Doug Ellis considering four separate takeover bids, the most promising of which appears to be one from US billionaire Randy Lerner, owner of the Cleveland Browns NFL franchise.

This has meant the club has conducted almost no transfer activity over the summer -- leaving O'Neill with a great deal of work in the next two weeks.