Richard O'Kelly has today joined Dean Smith at Villa Park and will take over the role as the club's assistant head coach, report the club

Smith was announced as Aston Villa's new manager after Steve Bruce was given his marching orders after a 3-3 draw at home to bottom of the league Preston North End.

Former defender John Terry joined the club in a coaching capacity at the same time as the former Brentford and Walsall man, with his official title being given as assistant coach.

O'Kelly has worked with Smith at both Walsall and Brentford in the past as well as working with Sean O'Driscoll at Bristol City and Doncaster Rovers.

He has had one stint as manager of a side with Hereford but was relegated with the Bulls, rejecting the chance to manage them further in the conference.

In his playing career as a striker, O'Kelly played for Walsall on two occasions scoring over 50 times for the Sadlers, as well as spending time with Port Vale and Grimsby Town.

The verdict 

This is very good news for Villa.

The closer the management set-up Smith had at Griffin Park can stay together at Villa Park the better.

The pairing of O'Kelly and Smith has always worked well in the past and there is no reason it should not work well again.