Justin Edinburgh was among the names touted to take over at Villa Park last week.

The Gills manager was a surprise addition to the betting market, surging from a 66-1 outsider to second favourite at one stage, before dropping off again.

Frenchman Remi Garde was this week appointed as permanent successor to Tim Sherwood but Edinburgh took the rumours as a sign that his team are making impressions.

He said: “I am not going to talk about what, where or when but it is fantastic speculation and it has shown that we have done something right here.

“It is nice when people mention your name with that kind of club but we are concentrating on what we are doing here now.

“It is shows what we have achieved in the time I have been here. I take honour and pride in it but I want to keep this going and continue the consistency that we’ve got.”

Edinburgh is one of several young English managers enjoying success in the lower leagues but Villa’s decision to look overseas wasn’t a surprise.

It is a trend adopted by England’s top teams and a bugbear for the Gills boss.

“Look at people doing well in the Championship,” said the Gills boss.

“Is the French league better than the Championship? What about looking at some of the English managers in the Championship.

“Look at Sean Dyche (Burnley), look at Gary Rowett (Birmingham) and Chris Hughton.

Those clubs might not want to release those managers but look at Hughton, he’s been at Newcastle and Norwich, unbeaten in 10 at Brighton. Why isn’t he top of the list?”