Ron Saunders, former Aston Villa boss, dies
Black armbands will be worn during Aston Villa’s clash with Leicester today following the passing of former Villa manager Ron Saunders, who died yesterday at the age of 87.
Saunders is widely regarded as one of the club’s finest managers, in particular steering the club to the old Division One title in 1980-81.
In a statement, the club said: “It is the sad duty of Aston Villa Football Club to announce that our former manager, Ron Saunders, has passed away at the age of 87.
“His family have asked for their privacy to be respected at such a difficult time.”
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has backed Nigel Pearson to lead Watford up the table after yesterday’s goalless draw at Vicarage Road.
Pearson was appointed Hornets manager on a deal until the end of the season on Friday, and he was watching from the stands yesterday.
The point did little for the hosts’ survival chances and they remain bottom, but it did end a run of three defeats.
Eagles boss Hodgson was pleased to secure a third clean sheet in seven days and believes the former Leicester chief can turn around the fortunes of the Hertfordshire outfit.
“I know Nigel well and I’m an admirer of his. He organises teams very well and gets his teams playing in a very disciplined and organised way. I think he has the right type of players for that,” he said.
“Watford were a good team last year and I don’t think they are anything other than a good team this year as well, but football and momentum does strange things.
“You get a few bad results and suddenly confidence goes a little and people don’t do what they did the year before and everything looks different to what it should, because these are the same players who did well last year.
“They have 25 senior players who are regulars in the Premier League, so he comes into a good set-up.
“I expect him to do what he does, which is to produce good teams. I would expect Watford to be climbing the table.”
Pearson spoke to the Watford players in the dressing room before kick-off and interim boss Hayden Mullins admitted his leadership qualities were evident immediately.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why the club have appointed him because they know that about him, they know his pedigree, he’s a top manager and he’s got a good group of players to work with,” said the Hornets under-23 boss.
“He said a few words with the lads. He introduced himself and went around the group, shook everyone’s hands and had a few words to say before the boys went out which was brilliant.
“To have my first experience of managing a team in the Premier League has been absolutely unbelievable,” added Mullins.