Football
Peter O'Rourke, Transfer correspondent 9y

Ray Wilkins confirms Aston Villa assistant role

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has agreed to join Aston Villa as assistant to Tim Sherwood.

Sources had told ESPN FC on Thursday that Sherwood, who is preparing for his first full season in charge of Villa after replacing Paul Lambert in February, was set to hand Wilkins the role.

The 58-year-old confirmed the news during an appearance on Sky Sports News later in the day.

Wilkins had been working as manager of the Jordanian national team since September following his exit from Fulham.

Wilkins, who won 84 caps for England during his playing career, boasts a wealth of coaching experience having managed both Queens Park Rangers and Fulham before two spells as assistant manager at Chelsea under Gianluca Vialli and Carlo Ancelotti.

Wilkins told Sky Sports News: "Tim is similar to me in that he wants to win and is pretty bubbly. As soon as I spoke to him it seemed to click.

"I've been very fortunate over my coaching career to be involved with lots of managers of a very high level. Hopefully I can give the lads at Villa that experience."

Sherwood has been keen to make changes to his backroom team and sees Wilkins as someone who can help transform the club's fortunes.

Despite reaching the FA Cup final, Villa endured a difficult Premier League campaign last term as they narrowly avoided relegation, and Sherwood is keen to avoid a repeat next season as he looks to stamp his own mark on the club.

Kevin MacDonald was named assistant manager to Sherwood in February and it is expected he will remain in Sherwood's new-look setup.

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