Aston Villa 'package' tempted Roy Keane

[gallery]New Villa assistant manager Roy Keane revealed today that it was "the whole package" which persuaded him to take the job.

Keane will combine his duties as manager Paul Lambert's number 2 with his role in a similar post with the Republic of Ireland.

The former Manchester United captain rejected overtures from Celtic because it would have threatened his Irish duties but he made it clear today at his inaugural press conference that the challenge to help Villa was enticing.

"Paul Lambert didn't really have to sell it to me," said Keane.

"It was the whole package that appealed.

"Villa is a top club, there is no doubt about that. I knew Paul, and I can also continue my work with the senior Irish team.

"I can be a bit more hands on with the players and my experience as a manager will be a help because I know how tough it is to be a manager.

"It's been a tough few years for Villa but that's the same for a lot of clubs. It's a tough game.

"But there are some good players here and there has already been a couple of signings and hopefully one or two more over the next month or so.

"We will have players coming back from injury as well – I might not look it but I'm excited by the challenge."

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Keane will meet with the rest of Villa's coaching staff tomorrow and is relishing the start of pre-season training next week.

Villa's players report back on Monday and Keane added: "It will be nice to get in with them and start the real work, get to know them as a group.

"I saw them three or four times last season. I saw them play well but also on a couple of tough days for the team as well, but that's the nature of football."