Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to be the next Aston Villa manager

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has flown back to Birmingham from the United States to step up the search for Alex McLeish's replacement - but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running.

The former Manchester United star, currently manager of Norwegian side Molde, was interviewed by Lerner over the weekend.

But reports suggest Solskjaer has opted not to be considered McLeish's successor for personal reasons and family commitments.

Solskjaer was the favourite with the bookmakers to take charge of Villa who only just avoided relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

But sources close to the club are keen to stress Solskjaer was never offered the job by Lerner.