With Aston Villa appointing former Brentford boss Dean Smith over the international break, many Villa fans will be relieved to see a new boss in place for their game against Swansea this weekend. 

The Villa supporters will be even more pleased to see former captain John Terry working alongside Smith as assistant coach at Villa Park this season.

The role will be Terry's first non-playing role in football and he will be looking for the best possible start to life as a coach when Villa host Graham Potter's Swansea side, in what will be a potentially tricky fixture for Smith's side.

Former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has weighed in with his view on Terry's appointment and admitted he was surprised not to see Terry continue his career as a player at Villa Park.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Hendrie said, 'I thought with that gap in the back four and the limited numbers they’ve got at centre-back maybe JT would fill in a gap at the time being.

'But I think he’s got his heart set on learning the managerial stuff.'

Hendrie made over 300 appearances for Aston Villa during a 13-year-spell at the club, and feels that Dean Smith was the right man to replace the recently sacked Steve Bruce in the managerial hot seat at the club.

'No disrespect to Brentford but the size and expectation at Aston Villa is another step up. (But) I feel that Dean can do that. He’s got so many things going for him, the philosophy and attacking football and that’s what the fans want to see.'

Smith and Terry will be hoping to get an all-important three points in their first game in charge at Villa at the weekend against the Swans.

The Verdict: 

Terry's appointment is a good move for Villa and his knowledge of the club from last season will come in handy alongside Smith's managerial experience.

I can see them forming a good partnership together and I'm confident that we will see them recover this season and challenge for a top six place this season.