SEAN Dyche has been identified by Premier League strugglers Aston Villa as a candidate to replace Remi Garde, according to reports.

Garde is expected to leave Villa Park imminently, once the terms of his exit have been agreed, with former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson - a free agent since last June - also believed to be on rock bottom Villa's wanted list.

Former manager Brian Little, who is acting as an advisor for the club, and new board member David Bernstein are leading the search for Garde's replacement and are understood to be keen on a British manager who has won promotion to the Premier League.

Villa could be relegated to the Championship with as many as five games to spare.

And with the Clarets on the brink of a Premier League return - a second in two years under Dyche - former striker Willie Irvine said he would be surprised if the Burnley boss swapped one claret and blue for another.

"He is building something at Burnley, not just on the pitch but off the pitch," he said.

"He has played a big part in the development at Gawthorpe.

"Everything he has touched has turned to gold since he came to the club. And with the position we are in it would surprise me if he left.

"When he speaks in the papers I think his heart is in Turf Moor – I don’t think he would be easily swayed."

But Irvine admits the speculation has not come as a surprise.

"I’ve been expecting this to come along, with some of these Premier League clubs at the bottom of the league struggling and they’ve seen what Sean Dyche has done," said the Clarets legend.

"He's Burnley's best manager since Harry Potts.

"I would think he'd be taking on a really tough one there with Villa if he was to go. They are rock bottom at the moment and he's not going to keep them up.

"They will be looking at people who can win promotion next season, and I think Sean could do that there.

"But with the position Burnley are in now I don't think he will be tempted. I hope not.

"You can see why Villa would turn to him but, while he would probably have more money to spend there, I think he has a better squad here, and I don't think money is a motivator for him."