Premiership: Gray lands Villa job
Stuart Gray has made a swift return to the Premiership by being appointed first team coach at Aston Villa just weeks after being controversially sacked as manager of Southampton.
Gray, who spent four years at Villa Park between 1987 and 1991 before joining the Saints, took his first training session this morning.
It is the 41-year-old’s first appointment since he was axed by Southampton after just seven months in charge following a poor start to the season.
And in another change to the Villa coaching staff, John Deehan has been promoted to the role of assistant manager.
Villa manager John Gregory said: ‘‘Stuart’s appointment will have the effect of achieving a close working relationship between three people and that will have a major benefit on the team.
‘‘The set-up is now much the same as when I worked with Brian Little alongside Alan Evans at Villa.
‘‘Along with myself and John Deehan, Stuart is another former Villa man who knows the club inside out.
‘‘But he is not here for that reason alone. He is a very good coach and his skills will benefit the team.
‘‘It is fair to say that things didn’t work out as he would have wanted as a manager but I have no doubt he will be an asset to our club.’’
Gray said: ‘‘It is great to be back in football. The offer came right out of the blue but, when I was asked to return to Villa, it was a very easy decision to make.
‘‘I’m very excited at the prospect of working again and being part of a very strong set-up.’’
