Mark Hughes remains hopeful of still landing the Aston Villa job.
The People says the Welshman, who walked out on Fulham a fortnight ago, was red-hot favourite with bookies to succeed Gerard Houllier in the hot-seat but was left hanging by the phone as the Villa board wooed rival bosses instead.
But after highly-rated Wigan gaffer Roberto Martinez said no to their offer, and Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini also cold-shouldered them, Hughes believes he could capitalise with Villa running out of options.
Villa were far from impressed by the way he handled his Fulham exit and have insisted they will not perform a U-turn.
But Hughes has told pals he still wants the job even though he has yet to receive any contact from the Midlands club.
