' Another Championship Manager Finally Confirmed '

DI MATTEO NAMED VILLA BOSS

Friday 3rd June 2016

Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as their new manager.

Di Matteo, who was identified as new owner Dr Tony Xia's preferred choice at the time of his takeover, will be assisted at Villa Park by his former Chelsea team-mate Steve Clarke.

The 46-year-old Italian won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 but has not managed in the second tier of English football since 2009-10, when he won promotion for West Brom.

Villa have been without a permanent manager since Remi Garde left the club in March, with Eric Black completing the season in caretaker charge of the team.

DUBLIN BACKS DI MATTEO APPOINTMENT

Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin has backed Roberto Di Matteo to guide the club back into the Premier League.

Italian Di Matteo has been appointed as Villa's new boss on a two-year deal and returns to England almost four years after being sacked by Chelsea.

"Villa are such a big football club and well respected that the Championship is not so much of a drop down for him," said Dublin.

"It's a very hard league to get out of but it's a sign of Roberto saying 'okay, I'm happy to take on the challenge, I don't want everything put on a plate for me'.

"The team isn't good enough to be in the Premier League at the moment so it's down to Roberto to prove how good he is and how good his recruitment is to get them back into the Premier League. I'd back him all the way."