Ray Wilkins announces Villa move on live TV

Ray Wilkins is to join the coaching staff at Villa after holding talks with manager Tim Sherwood – and then blurting out his move on live TV.

The 58-year-old has revealed he is to link up with Sherwood at Villa Park as the club attempts to move on from last season's fight for Premier League survival.

Wilkins, who was broadcasting on Sky Sports News yesterday, took the call during an advertisement break.

He then went straight on air to share his news. The former Chelsea, Manchester United andEngland midfielder said: "I was talking to Tim Sherwood – I have been for the last couple of weeks – about going on board and joining the coaching staff and assisting.

"Tim has just now confirmed that I will be going on board. I'm absolutely thrilled to be back involved.

"There's only one place to be – the Premier League. I will be assisting Kevin MacDonald, Tim and the whole shooting match.

"Over my coaching career, I've been involved with a lot of managers of an extremely high level, and I've learnt off each and every one of them. Hopefully I can give the lads at Villa that type of experience."

Former England midfielder Wilkins, who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan and Paris St Germain among others, served on the staff at Stamford Bridge under Gianluca Vialli, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti in two spells and has worked with England Under-21s and managed the Jordan national side. He will hope to bring his extensive knowledge of the game to Villa, who eventually finished last season 17th in the Premier League, three points clear of the drop zone after a concerted late push got them out of trouble.

Wilkins said: "They should be a top-10 team in the Premier League, simple as that.

"They showed at the end of last season what they can achieve, and we'll work hard to do that.

"They've got a good squad, but it can work a lot better and a lot harder."