Tim Sherwood favourite for Villa job after Paul Lambert sacked this evening

Aston Villa are in the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with Paul Lambert this evening.

Villa dropped into the drop zone after a 2-0 defeat last night away to Hull in what has appeared to be the final straw for the board. The Scot had been in charge at Villa Park since taking over from Alex McLeish in the summer of 2012 but has struggled to produce results for the misfiring Villains this season. Goalscoring has been the primary cause of concern for Villa fans this season with their side finding the net just 12 times this season, the worst return in the Premier League. The full statement of the club website reads:

"Aston Villa Football Club has parted company this evening with manager Paul Lambert. First-team coach Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall will continue to prepare the squad for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Leicester City at Villa Park. The club would also like to place on record its thanks to Paul and take this opportunity to wish him every success in the future. The club will announce a new manager in due course. There will be no further comment from the club at this stage."

At the time of writing, Tim Sherwood was the 6/4 favourite for the job while former assistant boss Roy Keane is 25/1.