Derby boss Nigel Pearson was so close to Aston Villa hotseat that he even organised pre-season tour before being snubbed

NIGEL PEARSON was so close to becoming Aston Villa manager this summer he had organised the club’s pre-season tour.

Pearson was offered the job by former owner Randy Lerner and ex-chairman Steve Hollis after flying out to the USA.

But Pearson was wary that Lerner was selling and the new owners may not want him as boss.

SunSport understands that the club was in such a rudderless state at one point that he was asked to arrange a pre-season for Villa’s first team squad in Austria — yet was not officially appointed.

Caretaker boss Eric Black had taken over from Remi Garde but left as soon as the final game of a horror season was over.

When Dr Tony Xia took over at Villa Park in June, Pearson was recommended as first choice. But they appointed ex-Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo instead.

Then Derby came in to approach Pearson and offer him a job. The Rams face Villa at the iPro today.

Villa striker Ross McCormack could have been lining up for Derby against Di Matteo’s side. The £12million hitman left Fulham earlier this month. They rejected three bids from the Rams.

McCormack, 30, said: “When you get teams that come down from the Prem with a lot of money it does make the league tough. Villa is one of them, you can flex your muscles a little bit. It’s going to be crazy league.”

Midfielder Mile Jedinak could make his Villa debut after signing from Crystal Palace for £4m.