LONDON (AFP) - Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane looks set to take over as assistant coach to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, the Press Association reported on Tuesday.

The 42-year-old Irishman would work alongside Lambert at Villa Park, combining the role with his post as No. 2 to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O'Neill.

An announcement was believed to be imminent.

Last month, Keane was linked with the managerial job at Celtic after Neil Lennon stood down, but he decided against that, opening up the possibility of employment at Aston Villa.

Lambert's coaching staff was depleted last season when assistant Ian Culverhouse and football operations manager Gary Karsa were suspended and then sacked for unspecified disciplinary reasons.

Keane's impending appointment comes with the players due to return for pre-season training on Monday.

The former Sunderland and Ipswich manager returned to the game in November last year when O'Neill offered him the opportunity to return to the international fold.