LONDON Aston Villa have approached former Bayern Munich skipper Lothar Matthaeus for the vacant manager's position in the wake of John Gregory's shock departure ten days ago, a British newspaper reported on Sunday.

"Aston Villa have asked me to become their manager," the **** Sunday Express **** quoted Matthaeus, 40, as saying.

"I have always had a wish to manage a club in England," said the captain of Germany's 1990 World Cup-winning team who is now coach of Austria's Rapid Vienna.

Matthaeus's contract with Rapid, his first club as coach, does not run out until 2003 but there is a get-out clause which means he can leave at the end of this season, the **** Sunday Express **** said.

"All I can say is that I have a contract with my present club," Matthaeus added.

According to Reuters, Aston Villa, who have notched up two 0-0 draws in the Premier League since Gregory resigned on January 24, are seventh in the standings 14 points behind leaders Manchester United.