Unai Emery hopes to take charge of Aston Villa training today.

The Daily Mail says Emery hopes to take charge of his first Aston Villa training session on Wednesday as he awaits final sign-off on his visa application.

The Spaniard agreed to succeed Steven Gerrard on October 24 but has been unable to take control as he awaits international clearance to begin work in England.

Emery is expected to appoint Pako Ayestaran, who was a key part of Rafa Benitez's backroom team when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005, as one of his main lieutenants.

When Villa announced they had hired Emery, they said he was expected to take over "from November 1". But on Tuesday afternoon the club's official Twitter account posted: "Unai Emery has arrived at Bodymoor Heath and is awaiting final work visa clearance before taking training."