The ex-Aston Villa boss wanted the West Ham United man, who was then at Nottingham Forest.
Former Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood has revealed to Sky Sports‘ Goals on Sunday program that Michail Antonio was a player who interested him during his time at Villa Park.
Early days, but the 26-year-old West Ham United star has been one of the players of the season thus far, after netting five times in the Hammers’ first five Premier League games of the campaign.
He was on target again on Saturday as West Ham slumped to a 4-2 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.
Antonio joined the Irons from Nottingham Forest last summer, and in less than 12 months has become one of Slaven Bilic’s most influential players.
But Sherwood, who was fired by Aston Villa last October, reveals that he too was interested in signing the now-England international for the Villans.
“When I was at Aston Villa, he was a player I highlighted. He was playing in a poor Nottingham Forest team and he was shining,” he told Sky Sports.
“He has got pace and power but more importantly he scores goals. He’s gone the non-league route which seems to be increasingly popular.
“It’s fantastic for Antonio and even in a poor result yesterday, he managed to affect the game.”
Aston Villa have won one of their eight Championship games since being relegated. West Ham made the right decision to sign him, but Antonio also made the right decision to join them, it seems.
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