Ray Wilkins praises Sherwood for completing ‘phenomenal’ Micah Richards transfer

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Ray Wilkins has heaped praise on Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood for signing Micah Richards.

Newly-appointed Aston Villa assistant manager Ray Wilkins has told the Birmingham Mail that the signing of Micah Richards was ‘phenomenal’.

Villa confirmed on their official website on Monday that Wilkins had joined the club as their new assistant manager, where he will team up with manager Tim Sherwood next season.

Villa are expecting to improve next term having only narrowly avoided relegation last season, but Sherwood has made just one summer signing so far.

That signing was defender Micah Richards, with the 26-year-old joining on a free transfer from Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

It was something of a coup for Villa to sign the former England international, and new assistant boss Wilkins told the Birmingham Mail that Sherwood’s move to sign Richards was ‘phenomenal’.

“I don’t think there’s an if about it,” said Wilkins when asked whether Richards could return to his best form at Villa. “He’s had a difficult time at Fiorentina after starting about eight or nine games but when players go abroad and learn their trade it helps.”

“What we might see is a better player now who is more tactically aware. He can play comfortably at right full-back and centre-back. At 26 years of age. I think the business that Tim did there was phenomenal,” he added.

Centre back or right back?

RIchards arrives at Villa beng able to play at either right back or centre back, giving Sherwood some flexibility in defence if he so desires – but where is Richards’ best position?

Richards started out as a centre back at Manchester City, but eventually made the move to right back, where his physical attributes gave him some success.

At Villa, Sherwood has the likes of Ciaran Clark and Jores Okore at his disposal, and with Richards being somewhat similar to Okore, it would be a surprise to see the duo form a partnership.

Instead, with neither Alan Hutton or Leandro Bacuna particularly impressive at right back, Richards could end up there once again – though he should be hoping to make a return to centre back once again.