Koeman is out of work having left AZ Alkmaar

Former Ajax boss Ronald Koeman has said he is interested in becoming Aston Villa's new manager and claims the club contacted his agent last week.

Villa are yet to name Martin O'Neill's successor, with Kevin MacDonald currently occupying the role on a caretaker basis.

"Of course I am interested to listen to everybody," Koeman told BBC Sport.

Earlier on Tuesday, MacDonald also said he wished to be considered for the job on a permanent basis.

MacDonald had been undecided as to whether he wanted the role, but has now put himself into consideration.

The 49-year-old reserve-team coach has overseen the first five games of the season after manager O'Neill's sudden resignation in July.

606: DEBATE Although i feel Macdonald deserves an interview I just don't think he has enough experience maizy444

And later on Tuesday, former Netherlands defender Koeman, who also managed PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, Benfica and was assistant at Barcelona and the Dutch national team, threw his hat into the ring.

Koeman, 47, is currently out of a job having left AZ Alkmaar.

"There was a contact with my agent but nothing more than that, about one week ago or something," said Koeman.

"Until now I didn't know anything about that. If they are interested they can call me."

Villa said at the weekend that they wanted to appoint someone in the near future with Premier League experience, appearing to limit Koeman's chances of getting the job.

But the Dutchman still believes he has the attributes to manage the club.

"If they are looking for a manager with Premier League experience then of course I cannot come," added Koeman. "I have enough experience but not in English football.

"I think I would do a good job, I think I have enough experience in the last 10 years after working in Holland, where I was league champion, and working in Portugal, Spain...in that case my experience is enough."

As well as Koeman and MacDonald, other names linked to the job include Everton manager David Moyes and former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Although he thinks his time at the helm will add weight to his case, MacDonald believes that he may not be the strongest candidate for the job.

MacDonald says he wants the job on a permanent basis

"Who says I will be chosen? Whoever gets interviewed, if they come up with the right solution on how to take the club forward, that would be the right person for the job," he said on Sunday.

"It would help me being in the position. That would put me in a more favourable position than people who come in from the outside.

"But you then are going to look at people to be interviewed who have got a lot more experience, have won things and have done it at the highest level as well."

The former Liverpool player has received backing from several of Villa's players including captain Stiliyan Petrov.

And Wales centre-back James Collins told BBC Sport why he hopes MacDonald gets the job on a full-time basis.

"Kev has been at the club a long time and has done a great job since he stepped in," said Collins.

"He has done great and all the boys respect him and has got the team playing well.

"And I'm sure he is in there with as good a chance as any."

MacDonald's only previous managerial experience is a four-game spell as caretaker boss of Leicester in 1994.

Under his leadership, Villa have been knocked out of the Europa League by Rapid Vienna and were thrashed 6-0 by Newcastle.

But victories over West Ham and Everton have put Villa fourth in the early Premier League standings.

Moyes, in the opposing dug-out for the Toffees' 1-0 defeat on Sunday, has emerged as a surprise contender for the role.

His odds of taking over at Villa Park fell dramatically on Monday.

Everton are yet to register a Premier League win this campaign and ended eighth in the table last season after three consecutive top-six finishes.

Eriksson has been without a job since he failed to take Ivory Coast beyond the group stage of this summer's World Cup.

Moyes' odds of becoming Villa boss have tumbled

The Swede, who was sacked as Manchester City boss in 2008 after one year in charge, had been employed on a short-term contract for the tournament.

Other names reportedly under consideration include former Villa captain Gareth Southgate and Frenchman Gerard Houllier.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes has also been mentioned despite only taking up the Craven Cottage reins in July.

Early frontrunner Bob Bradley ended speculation he could in line for the job by signing a four-year extension to stay on as United States coach.

The 52-year-old had previously said he would be "honoured" to be considered by fellow American and Villa owner Randy Lerner.

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