MONACO SET TO MOVE FOR VILLA TARGET HENRY

ASTON VILLA face competition in their pursuit of manager Thierry Henry, after Monaco sacked Leonardo Jardim yesterday and launched a move for their former striker. Another contender for the Villa job is former Manchester United assistant Rui Faria. Jose Mourinho’s close ally left the club in May.

Sportsmail revealed last week that Henry is Villa’s first choice to succeed Steve Bruce, with John Terry possibly coming in as his assistant. If Henry takes over at Monaco, Terry could become Villa boss instead. ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN is running out of patience on the Chelsea bench. The Denmark centre back said: ‘We play really good football but it’s really annoying that I’m not on the pitch when it happens. I do not see myself staying if my current situation is still the same in the future.’ CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN will work alone on his fitness while his Tottenham team-mates are on international duty in a bid to be fit to face West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday week. The midfielder has missed four games with an abdominal injury. MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Nemanja Matic has withdrawn from Serbia duty with back and ankle injuries. Matic could miss United’s Premier League fixture against his old club Chelsea a week on Saturday. NORTHERN IRELAND boss Michael O’Neill says he is ‘disappointed’ Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty has pulled out of the Nations League games against Austria and Bosnia. He said: ‘I will address the situation after the games.’