‘Humble’ Terry a good fit, says Smith

Dean Smith, the new Aston Villa head coach, has revealed he gave the appointment of John Terry his full backing after an hour-long chat on Facetime.

Smith has confirmed it was his decision to include Terry, the former Chelsea and Villa captain, on his backroom staff and insisted it would be a “good fit” as he attempts to mount a promotion challenge at the Championship club.

Terry was a player last season at Villa Park and the club were keen to offer him a coaching role. But Smith was given the final say on appointing the 37-year-old, who is taking his first steps on the road towards becoming a manager. “When I discussed the role, I said if I spoke to John, I thought we could both come up with good enough honest answers to see if we both wanted to move on with it or not,” Smith said.

“We decided it was right and I felt it was win-win. We had a good discussion and got the answers we both wanted. John is very humble and he’s a willing learner. He was in bright and early at 7.30am with his pencil case at the ready.

“I’m quite flattered that he’s chosen to work with us to get his coaching hours in. I have no doubts he will be a fantastic coach and go on to be a fantastic manager but he’s well aware that this is his apprenticeship.”

Smith, a lifelong Villa fan, has signed a 2½-year contract and admitted it would be a “life-changing” career move after leaving Brentford. He lived four miles away from Villa Park in Great Barr as a child, and his father was a match-day steward for 25 years.

Smith’s style of football, primarily attacking, possession-based, will appeal to Villa fans, who became frustrated with the tactics of his predecessor Steve Bruce.

Christian Purslow, Villa’s chief executive, has said that funds will be made available in the January transfer window. It is understood Smith will target a centre-half and a left-back, despite fears over punishment from the English Football League for breaching rules on spending.