Aston Villa blog: New management, new outlook

So after what seems like an eternity and after one of the most turbulent periods in our history, we finally have our man...writes Villa blogger Justin Hawthorne.

The conformation of Roberto Di Matteo brings to an end one of the longest periods I've ever known without a permanent manager.

Obviously the negotiations over his role have been tied together with the takeover, hopefully now the ownership can be finally confirmed over the next week and we can move onto the main business of the summer - with the total rebuild of the first team squad.

Given what has happened over the last season and where we find ourselves now, I do feel we have chosen well in our new boss and in Steve Clarke we also have a very experienced and top class number two as well.

The Villa park hot seat has become a poisoned chalice under Randy Lerner and now we finally have what seems like a new owner only days away. We can only hope that our luck will change on the management front.

Di Matteo's track record is decent - he's already managed in the lower leagues with MK Dons and gained a very good promotion with our not too distant rivals up the road.

Combine that with with the job he did at the other end of the league with Chelsea, I'd say he ticks all the boxes of experience needed.

Obviously he will need substantial backing this summer to turn us around as quickly as we all hope. But with his contacts within the game, I fully expect a few loan deals to come our way from the Premier League big boys.

As in all footballing matters and especially Villa ones, only time will tell on how well he will do.

One thing I do know is that the fans will be 100% behind him and we can all pray that the new season will be a far happier one than the last.

UTV