Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has been named manager at a struggling Aston Villa FC. The club confirmed the news on both its website and twitter page.
NEW MANAGER: A very warm claret and blue welcome to Tim Sherwood. Story: http://t.co/3XTUTJi04d #AVFC #WelcomeTim pic.twitter.com/HcVwgmAKzj
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 14, 2015
The sides agreed to a deal this morning, with Sherwood signing to be the clubs first team manager until the end of the 2017-18 season. Aston Villa Chief Executive Tom Fox was very pleased with the signing of Tim Sherwood.
"“We are determined to build a football operation with a long-term vision and a commitment to youth development. We strongly believe Tim has the qualities to get the best out of our current squad and help us build and develop for the future.”"
When asked, the new manager stated how pleased he was to join a club like Aston Villa.
"“It is a great honor to manage one of the biggest clubs in English football. I can’t wait to get started and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”"
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The appointment of Sherwood comes at a very turbulent time for the club. Aston Villa are currently in the relegation zone, sitting 18th in the table. Villa have not played outside the English First Division/Premier League since the 1987-88 season.
However, Sherwood will not take over as the clubs manager till after the FA Cup match against Leicester City. Sherwood will need to hit the ground running with the side’s next matches against Stoke City, Newcastle and West Brom.
All three matches offer a chances at improving their current league position. Both the Stoke City and West Brom matches will take place at Villa Park while the side will play away at Newcastle.
Another task Sherwood will look to accomplish is ending Aston Villa’s goal drought. The side have scored only once in their last eight Premier League matches. The club is also on track for a Premier League record for least goals scored in a season, scoring only 12 times to this point.
Currently tied with QPR on points, Aston Villa sit in the relegation zone because of their goal differential. If Villa have any hope of survival this season, they will need to start scoring now.
Playing for 90
If the squad can score points in most of its remaining matches, Sherwood’s men should survive in the Premier League for at least one more season. However, beside goals, the club has also been short on wins this season.
Having only won five matches–their last coming December 7th–this season, Aston Villa will need a complete revival to begin taking points from their upcoming matches. Look for Sherwood to experiment early on, trying to find players who want to and can play attacking football.
Aston Villa have chosen Sherwood not only due to his experience with coaching and developing youth players, but because of the success he had at Tottenham. If Sherwood is to keep Aston Villa in the Premier League, he will need to find an attacking player somewhere in the squad.
With the appointment coming after the transfer window, Sherwood is forced to work with what Lambert left him. If Aston Villa are relegated, the blame cannot be placed on Sherwood.
The club has dug its own grave thus far. It remains to be seen whether the club can find their way out of it.