Aston Villa's new head coach has received a ringing endorsement from a former manager of the club and one-time pundit.

Smith was appointed as Villa head coach last week following a short search for Steve Bruce's replacement, with John Terry also joining the back room staff.

It is the first time a local lad has been appointed to the role since Ron Atkinson back in the early nineties and Big Ron himself has praised Villa on their appointment of a man he's championed on many occasions.

“I am delighted because so far he has done an absolutely smashing job, both at Walsall and Brentford," he is reported as saying on Birmingham Live. "He truly deserves this step up. Whenever a job has come up I have always promoted him.”

Atkinson is also a former manager of Manchester United and a one-time staple of ITV's football coverage. He's currently recovering in hospital in Tenerife after suffering a dizzy spell whilst on holiday.

He managed Aston Villa between 1991 and 1994 and has a 43.2% win ratio, second only to Steve Bruce in the modern era.

The Verdict

Big Ron does know his football, even if the game has developed beyond his managerial capabilities.

Smith will be happy to hear endorsements, but they'll mean little to him in real terms. If he wins a few games and proves the reputation he's being given then he will sleep a little easier.

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