Solskjaer confirms 'informal' Villa talks

After a four-hour meeting that also included Solskjaer's agent Jim Solbakken, the 39-year-old returned to Norway to prepare for Molde's Norwegian league clash at Sandnes Ulf on Sunday.

Solskjaer claims he is one of many names in the frame for the post vacated by Alex McLeish on Monday following the Scot's sacking.

Molde announced earlier they had received "interest and contact from Aston Villa", and said the Barclays Premier League club and Solskjaer "are talking together".

Solskjaer added: "I can confirm I've spoken with Aston Villa.

"There were no negotiations, but an informal initial chat. They also have other candidates they want to talk to.

"I wanted to show respect for one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League by responding to their questions with an initial talk."

Speaking to Norwegian newspaper Romsdals Budstikke, Solskjaer added: "I am the manager of the MFK (Molde) and have only had a casual conversation."

Despite Solskjaer's assertions, he is now the overwhelming favourite to become Lerner's third appointment in less than two years.

After failing with Gerard Houllier and McLeish following the exit of Martin O'Neill in August 2010, Solskjaer is young and progressive, even if lacking in experience.

Following an 11-season playing career at Old Trafford, Solskjaer took charge of United's reserves for two-and-a-half years prior to returning to Molde, a club where he spent two seasons in the mid-1990s before moving to Manchester.

In his debut campaign in charge Solskjaer guided Molde to the league title last season for the first time in their 100-year history.

Although it would be a big step up in class to manage in the Premier League, Solskjaer has received the support of a trio of fellow former Norway internationals in Jan-Aage Fjortoft, Erik Thorstvedt and John Carew.

Former Swindon, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United striker Fjortoft, now a television presenter, said: "Ole has been a great leader for Molde. He always supports his team, and is clear in the demands of his players.

"He won't be Alex Ferguson, he will be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but very influenced by the life he has had at Manchester United.

"He has always been a learner, and he will be a great, great manager."

Thorstvedt, who was goalkeeper at Tottenham from 1989 to 1996, appreciates Villa would be taking a gamble on someone with only 18 months behind them as a league manager.

The 49-year-old said: "It's a surprise he is possibly going to be offered such a big job so early.

"But he is very clever, really sensible, and what he says always makes sense.

"He would possibly have thought, 'This is too early for me and I need more experience before I take on a big job like Villa'.

"But if he feels he is ready, then go for it. It's a great chance at a club that was almost relegated this season.

"So maybe the expectations aren't that big and the upside is massive if he can succeed.

"He's played attractive, fluent, passing football in Norway, and it's a Villa side that are a bit jaded, in a need of an energy injection.

"I think he can do that because of his personality and the style of football he wants to play."

Former Villa forward Carew believes Solskjaer is an ideal candidate to lead the midlands club out of the doldrums.

Carew, who spent four years with Villa, scoring 52 goals in 133 appearances, said: "This would be a fantastic job for Ole Gunnar to have.

"He has the mentality and respect from players he needs to succeed, and I think Villa will work really well under his leadership.

"Everything suggests Solskjaer can have a great managerial career in England."

Villa fans have so far welcomed the link to Solskjaer, with 86% from nearly 600 votes on one forum giving their approval.

Solskjaer's decision to travel to England for talks about the Villa vacancy went down particularly badly with a major backer of Molde.

Aker, an industrial investment company which has provided major financing to the club for 20 years and which built its stadium, the Aker Stadion, tonight said it was withdrawing its support after being disappointed by Solskjaer's step.

In a statement released to Romsdals Budstikke, Aker said: "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not hidden the fact that one day he could go back to England. Nevertheless, Aker is surprising that he dropped Friday's training, and headed to England in public for informal talks with Aston Villa before three major league games in a week."

Aker said Solskjaer was asked yesterday, on Aker's behalf, whether he was considering leaving Molde, whether he would want to take support staff with him, and whether he would look to take players with him.

The backers claim they did not receive an answer.

Kjell Inge Rokke, chairman and a major shareholder in Aker, said: "This is perceived as incompatible with the MFK [Molde football club] community that we are both a part of."

Molde tonight reacted to the statement from Rokke and Aker and said the club "regrets" they have taken the step to pull their backing after Solskjaer's trip to England.

In a statement on the club website, Molde said: "Rokke and Aker have for years been Molde Football Club's most important and largest partner in several areas. Molde FK are eternally grateful for the contribution and support Rokke, his family and Aker have shown us over the years.

"Molde Football Club regrets that Aker has decided to reduce its involvement as a result of our manager's actions. We confirm Rokke and Aker's version of events and why Aker has decided to reduce their contributions."

Club chairman Oystein Neerland said: "Molde Football Club recognises that current events have provided us with great challenges and put our reputation to the test. We will roll up our sleeves and work even harder to regain confidence."