Craig Shakespeare: Aston Villa experience is key

The former Walsall and Albion man joined Dean Smith’s coaching staff earlier this month just weeks after being axed from Watford, where he was No.2 to Nigel Pearson.

Shakespeare knows Smith well from their time together with the Saddlers during the 1980s, when the now Villa boss used to clean his boots.

The 56-year-old has since amassed a wealth of coaching experience and was assistant to Claudio Ranieri when Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016.

Smith was keen to get Shakespeare on his staff last season but those plans were shelved when the latter joined Watford.

Shakespeare said: “You want to be another pair of eyes and sometimes it is reinforcing the good work they do but also offering a different thought process – have you thought of this, tactically and during a game, whether it is plan A, plan B or C?

“We all know it is hard to get points in the Premier League but that is the aim.

“The Premier League know-how does not count for a lot unless you want to add to it as well. You need to be involved, push people along and cajole and sometimes demand.

“We all use our life experiences to a certain extent. The Premier League experience will hopefully be good for the players.”

Villa faced Bristol City yesterday in their first practice match of pre-season. The clubs played two, 60-minute matches at Villa’s south Wales training camp base.

Jamie Paterson scored the only goal of the first match for the Robins, with Mbwana Samatta netting in the second match as both teams claimed a 1-0 win each.

Villa are hoping to play three more friendly matches before their season gets under way in mid-September.