No sooner had we written we expected Martinez to become the next Villa manager, we then find out that Wigan chairman has stated that he will be staying put

Latics chairman Dave Whelan told Sky Sports that Martinez will continue at the DW Stadium and there will be no adjustments to his current contract.

Martinez met with Liverpool owners FSG in America last week to discuss the vacancy at Anfield but had concerns about working under a director of football and returned to England on Tuesday, with no deal in place.

Doers this mean can we expect Villa to come calling for Paul Lambert, if the many reports that have swamped the news wires today are to be believed,  I would say a very resounding YES.   

Apparently Villa have said they want a manager in place by the begining of next week, now with one joint favourite staying put, it will no doubt turn to next joint favourite: Paul Lambert.

I hope to god I am wrong, but I would say it will be no surprise to read in the next few days that Villa have approached City for permission to speak with Lambert,  that permission is likely to denied; which I would hope it would be plus  as a joint agreement between club and Lambert.

If that agreement is not place, and Lambert wants to at least talk with Villa; what will he do ?  I have no real idea, but it will be very close to what happened at Colchester when Lambert became City manager.  I have tried to look back  for reports when he managed the U's,  as far as I can find out he made no statements or lead anyone to believe that he wanted to leave.  Much the same scenario we have now.

As I said I hope I am wrong in these assumptions, but if this does happen I hope that City hold out for the highest possible compensation and try to place any transfer block on our players leaving for Villa.