Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie feels it is time for the players to finally prove their worth to the club rather than getting caught up in behind-the-scenes squabbles.

David O'Leary's departure as manager on Wednesday was the culmination of a turbulent six days at Villa Park that was sparked by a statement, seemingly from the first-time squad, criticising chairman Doug Ellis.

With just four weeks to go to the start of the new season, crisis-hit Villa are without a boss, have no chief scout, and with Ellis looking to sell up there has been no investment this summer in new players.

Despite that, Hendrie believes those at the club simply need to knuckle down to business and start earning the vast sums of money they are paid.

"We had the worst season we've probably had for a long time, with the main aim this season to doubly improve on that," said Hendrie, who has now seen five managers come and go during his 12 years at Villa.

"We don't need all this stuff hanging around our heads, and we don't need to get involved in it.

"We just need to get our heads down in training because we want to start this season on a high."

Speaking to www.avfc.co.uk, Hendrie added: "The lads all know we've just got to get together and let the people at Villa Park sort out what is going on at the club.

"We just need to get on with the football and start giving the fans something back. That's what we're paid for, not to get involved in issues around the place.

"I think we get paid pretty well and all we need to do is concentrate on training every day and going out on the pitch and giving 110%."

Alan Curbishley is now odds-on favourite to become the next boss at Villa Park.

Totesport's opening price of 11-4 was quickly cut to 8-11 following support throughout yesterday, while Ladbrokes have the former Charlton manager as a 4-7 shot.

Curbishley quit The Valley at the end of last season after 15 years at the helm, and vowed to take a year off from football.

But the former Villa player is understood to be the number one target for Ellis, who is now looking for the 14th manager of his tenure.

Totesport spokesperson Paul Petrie said: "Our 11-4 didn't last very long and the market would suggest Curbishley is home and dry.

"However, experience shows there is usually plenty of life in these markets and it wouldn't be a massive surprise if this particular gamble is off the mark - we certainly hope so."

Ladbrokes spokesman Robin Hutchison commented: "Curbishley looks to be the most eligible candidate on the market and obviously has connections with the club from his playing days.

"He said it was time for a change of direction and a fresh challenge when he left Charlton, and there's no bigger challenge in football than working for 'Deadly Doug'."

Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is second favourite with all firms, while Sam Allardyce, Glenn Hoddle, Alex McLeish, David Platt and Roy Aitken are all in the frame.

Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was asked about the Villa job in a Sunday tabloid sting earlier this year, is a 25-1 shot with both totesport and Ladbrokes.

O'Leary's assistant Aitken has been handed the reins on a temporary basis, with the Scot taking charge of tonight's pre-season friendly at Walsall.

Although Aitken has not been a manager in his own right since a two-year spell at Aberdeen ended in 1997, the 48-year-old is refusing to rule himself out of the running.

"I've got my own track record in management up in Scotland. I won a trophy with Aberdeen and I know what the job is all about," stated Aitken.

"I've had a lot of responsibility here at Villa over the last three years and I'm grateful to the club for the opportunity I've been given.

"I'm not fazed by this. Now I'll just concentrate on getting the players ready for the start of our pre-season games."