Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes Aston Villa are set for a bright future under the guidance of new manager Tim Sherwood. Since taking over from Paul Lambert in February, the former Tottenham Hotspur caretaker has lifted the whole club, and jolted the team away from the Premier League's relegation zone and into an FA Cup final. What a proper manager can do for you, Mike... Speaking in his column in The Sun, Shearer, who saw his Newcastle side relegated at Villa Park in 2009, thinks Sherwood's impact at the club can't be underestimated, he said: He can be outspoken, yes. But he also has an infectious enthusiasm which has lifted that club. After so many years in the doldrums, I can see a bright future ahead for Villa while he is in charge. Insightful as ever, Alan. The pair won the Premier League title together during their time at Blackburn Rovers, so seeing Alan backing his pal is understandable. However, the glowing comments about The Villains will come as somewhat of a shock to Newcastle United supporters. Shearer's comments will have raised a few eyebrows as The Magpies' suffered their darkest day of recent times in Birmingham not too long ago. Newcastle, who only had to avoid defeat on the last day of the 2008/09 season to relegate Hull City, went down 1-0 thanks to a deflection off Damien Duff. Oh how the Villa faithful laughed... Plainly, this is something that has slipped the 206-goal machine's mind over the previous six years. Newcastle have games against already relegated QPR and a tumbling West Ham to make sure similar scenes as those seen at a sunny Villa Park all those years ago do not repeat themselves. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.