3. Chris Hughton
With the clubs owner being arrested for money laundering and the banks freezing accounts, Birmingham manager Chris Hughton has performed miracles. A European campaign has stretched a very small squad to the extreme and yet Hughton managed to get the Blues into the play-offs. His record at Newcastle was very good before he was surprisingly sacked, and the former Republic of Ireland international has also been on the coaching staff of Tottenham and Ireland. Would Villa accept another Bluenose? The fans said their problem was not with McLeishs history, more where he was taking the club, and Hughton is certainly on an upwards trajectory. While they might enjoy taking away the man that is holding their near rivals together, Villa fans could reasonably expect a bigger name in the hotseat.