Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola has emerged again as Chelsea’s No.1 target to replace Andre Villas-Boas, according to reports in the British press.

With former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho ruling himself out, Guardiola has emerged as the favourite to replace 34-year-old Villas-Boas.

Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is poised to end the troubled reign of the AVB after their latest setback against West Brom Albion.

The Blues were close to sealing a deal to bring Guardiola to Stamford Bridge before settling for the Porto coach.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is being seen as a short-term replacement with Guardiola not available until the summer.

Guardiola has stalled on renewing his annual contract at Nou Camp increasing Chelsea's hopes of finally securing their originial choice ahead of AVB.

The Barca boss could become the eighth man to take charge during Abramovich’s reign.

AVB, who cost Chelsea £13.3 million in compensation from Porto last summer, admitted he is at the mercy of Abramovich.

He said: “Am I under more pressure? I have to accept that.

“The owner has the power to decide and only the owner has the power to say something. We just have to go on with the job."

Chelsea’s miserable run of just one win from their last seven games has left AVB looking like a broken man.

His clashes with veterans Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole has not his cause although he put up a brave front.

"If I didn’t believe I was the man to take the club forward, I would have left by now,” he said.

“We have another chance against Birmingham, so it is up to us to take it," he said on their FA Cup clash on Tuesday

“At the moment, we have to win games, I am not concerned about the future, we have to solve the present things, which are more important.”

However, he got support from veteran Baggies boss Roy Hodgson who has been a manager for 36 years - two more than AVB has been alive.

“Andre’s come to Chelsea with high expectations and it hasn’t started as well, but it is early days. If he is going to be successful, he will need the time,” he said.