Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has officially opened talks with Aston Villa about becoming the club's new manager.

Solskjaer is currently in charge of Molde, a club where he spent two years prior to joining Manchester United in 1996, with whom he made 366 appearances, scoring 126 goals in 11 seasons.

A statement on Molde's website read: "Molde Football Club is aware of interest and contact from Aston Villa, and is aware that Aston Villa and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are holding talks."

Molde Football Club is aware of interest and contact from Aston Villa, and is aware that Aston Villa and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are holding talks.
Molde statement

Lerner's private jet yesterday flew into Solskjaer's home town of Kristiansund to collect the 39-year-old and fly him to Birmingham to begin negotiations.

Solskjaer is seen as the young, progressive manager required by Lerner after first failing with Gerard Houllier and then Alex McLeish in the wake of Martin O'Neill's departure in August 2010.

After quitting playing in 2008, Solskjaer took charge of United's reserve team for two-and-a-half years before guiding Molde to their first Norwegian league title in 100 years last October at the end of his debut campaign in charge.

Carew backs compatriot
Former Villa striker John 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.

"Villa are among the six, seven biggest clubs in England. They have fantastic fans and a fantastic stadium. Solskjaer is a big name in England. On top of that, he has the mentality and respect from players he needs to suceed."

Speaking to Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet, Carew added: "Villa are also a club who, without doubt, love Norwegians and Scandinavians.

"I've received tweets from Villa fans today who want Solskjaer as their new manager. I think Villa will work really well under his leadership. Everything suggests Solskjaer can have a great managerial career in England."