Aston Villa have appointed Neil Cutler as their goalkeeping coach, with the 42-year-old leaving West Brom to link up with Dean Smith again.

The former Rotherham United stopper had worked under Smith at Walsall during what was a successful time for the club.

However, the current Villa boss then moved on to manage Brentford, whilst Cutler left the Saddlers at the start of the year when Albion moved to land him.

But, the Express & Star have revealed how Cutler has decided to move across the West Midlands to Villa Park, with Darren Moore adding that despite his best efforts, the coach was keen on departing.

"We tried everything to persuade Neil to stay but he enjoyed a very strong working relationship with Dean from their past connections and felt a strong pull to work with him again. We wish him well and thank him for his efforts."

Since he was appointed last month, Smith has already appointed John Terry and Richard O'Kelly as assistants and had previously stated how he hoped to improve the goalkeeping department.

Cutler will work with Orjan Nyland, Mark Bunn and Andre Moreira, the three senior keepers at Villa Park.

The Verdict

This is a coup for Smith as he clearly knows Cutler very well and obviously values the work he does with the keepers.

It's important for a coach to get a backroom team that he knows well and can trust and this is the case with this appointment.

As for West Brom, you only have to see the comments from Darren Moore to see that it is a big loss for them.

Thoughts, Villa and Albion fans? Let us know in the comments below.

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