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CLARET AND NEW

Roberto Di Matteo checks in vowing to win over Aston Villa supporters with rebuilding job

Says new manager: 'It's an exciting project. Promotion at the first time of asking is the aim but it’s not going to be easy'

ASTON VILLA'S new manager Roberto Di Matteo has checked in to start the re-building job needed to restore the fallen Midlands club.

Di Matteo faces a tough task following relegation from the Premier League last season when Villa sacked both Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde after they failed to lift a struggling and unsettled side  out of the bottom three.

 Welcome to Villa Park...new manager Roberto Di Matteo checks in
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Welcome to Villa Park...new manager Roberto Di Matteo checks inCredit: PA:Press Association
 Aston Villa manager Di Matteo and chairman Dr Tony Xia face the media
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Aston Villa manager Di Matteo and chairman Dr Tony Xia face the mediaCredit: PA:Press Association

Said the former West Bromwich and Chelsea boss: "The team has struggled and we have to look at every aspect of that.

"It’s a rebuilding job.

“But it’s an exciting project. Promotion at the first time of asking is the aim but it’s not going to be easy.

“I will do everything I can to get a team to fight in the Championship which is a very tough league."

New owner Dr Tony Xia promised to bring the ‘X’ Factor back to Villa Park.

The Chinese tycoon says he’s here to bring the big time back to the former champions of Europe.

Dr Xia, who has completed his £75million takeover, said:  “I’m excited. I want to get this club back to its rightful place.

"We will do whatever we can to support this historic club. There is a huge fan base and it has great potential.”

Subject to Football League approval Keith Wyness is Villa's new chief executive.

 Chairman Dr Xia, manager Di Matteo and chief executive Keith Wyness
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Chairman Dr Xia, manager Di Matteo and chief executive Keith WynessCredit: PA:Press Association
 All smiles now...will Di Matteo be able to restore Villa's fortunes?
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All smiles now...will Di Matteo be able to restore Villa's fortunes?Credit: Aston Villa FC

He said: "There are issues behind the scenes that led to the arrest of the club.

“I look forward to the leading the club to stop that arrest.

“I see a lot of similarities with my time at Everton, the clubs are a very similar size with very similar issues.

“I hope we can see similar success that we saw there.

“Every club is different and the personnel are different and there will be different issues to address.

“I’m confident we can sort those issues out and get the club back on track.”

 

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