Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has praised the experience of Ray Wilkins following his appointment as assistant manager yesterday. The 58-year-old had revealed the news live on Sky Sports News and after official confirmation this week Sherwood spoke of Wilkins' "fantastic knowledge of the game" on the club's official site. Wilkins has worked with the likes of Gianluca Vialli and Carlo Ancelotti and his appointment has been welcomed by fans of the Midlands club. This addition to Villa's backroom staff means that Kevin MacDonald, who was given the role in February, will still remain in a coaching capacity but will be given "greater responsibility for developing homegrown talent", according to the site. Having avoided relegation last season Sherwood had previously spoken of his belief that Villa would not be in such a position again - a view that Wilkins appears to share. Speaking to Sky Sports News, Wilkins said:
Villa should be a top-10 Premier League side, quite comfortably one would have thought. They showed at the back end of last season what they can produce. "With the players they have theres no reason they shouldnt be in the top half of the table and well work extremely hard to try and get there. Theyve got a good squad but it can work a lot better and a lot harder.
The ex-Chelsea and England midfielder returns to the Premier League having spent time managing Jordan's national team. Prior to his move to the Middle East Wilkins had worked as assistant head coach under Rene Meulensteen at Fulham.
