Aston Villa staff profiles

SPORTING DIRECTOR

Johan Lange

Nationality: Danish

Appointed in July 2020, replacing Spaniard Jesus Garcia Pitarch. Had been Technical Director at FC Copenhagen since 2014, during which time they won three league titles and gained a formidable reputation for developing young talent.

HEAD OF FOOTBALL RESEARCH

Frederik Leth

Nationality: Danish

Joined from FC Copenhagen in February 2021, having been Lange's short-lived replacement there as Technical Director. Responsible for ensuring an evidence-based approach across the club.

HEAD COACH

Dean Smith

Nationality: English

Lifelong Villa fan who was born in West Bromwich. Played more than 500 senior games for clubs including Sheffield Wednesday. Made his name in management at Walsall, where he had initially started as Head of Youth, and bolstered in at Brentford, who punched above their weight and played some of the mot attractive football in the Championship. Appointed by Villa in October 2018 and led them back to the promised land of the Premier League via the play-offs.

ASSISTANT

Richard O'Kelly

Nationality: English

Like Smith, born in West Bromwich, and the duo have a long-standing partnership. O'Kelly was Smith's assistant at Walsall (during two separate spells) and also at Brentford and now Villa. Smith says it's often O'Kelly who tells players if they have not been included in the team, leading to the nickname 'axeman'.

ASSISTANT

John Terry

Nationality: English

Legendary player for club and country. Made 492 appearances for Chelsea, winning five league titles, five FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League. Awarded 78 cap by England. Named assistant of Villa in October 2018 - his first job in coaching.

ASSISTANT

Craig Shakespeare

Nationality: English

Briefly played alongside Smith at Walsall and reunited with him in August 2020 as Villa's manager said he was keen to add "more Premier League experience" to his staff. Was Leicester manager for four-and-a-half months in 2017 and has been an assistant at West Brom, Hull, Everton, England and Watford.

GOALKEEPER COACH

Neil Cutler

Nationality: English

Another Midlander, having been born in Wolverhampton. Played for Villa (as cover for David James) during a 15-year playing career. Recruited from nearby West Brom in November 2018. Had worked with Smith and O'Kelly at Walsall.

PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR

Jeremy Oliver

Nationality: Australian

Bit of a mystery man. You won't find him on social media and there are no public interviews with him, nor any photos. Even Villa's staff were left drawing blanks when they tried to research him after his arrival. Was appointed at the end of last season and oversees the whole medical/ performance department. Had previously worked in his homeland of Australia.

HEAD OF SPORT MEDICINE AND SCIENCE

Ricky Shamji

Nationality: English

Moved into football in 2008, having previously worked as a GP. Joined Villa in 2015.

LEAD SPORTS SCIENTIST

Jack Sharkey

Nationality: English

Hired in July 2017 from QPR. Has also worked at Burton Albion, as Head of Sports Science.

PHYSIO

Steve Polley

Nationality: English

Promoted from the Academy following the departure of John Hartley to Derby County in December 2020.

PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE SCIENTIST

Aman Singh Shergill

Nationality: English

Appointed in November 2019 following four and a half years at near rivals Birmingham City. Works alongside Sharkey and gathers/ analyses performance data.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

Oli Stevenson

Nationality: English

Youth player at Villa before taking a sports science degree at Loughborough University and taking a different path. Started as an S&C with the Academy before being promoted to the first team.

LEAD PHYSIO

Alan Smith

Nationality: English

Club stalwart who joined in July 2000.

PHYSIO

Rob Marshall

Nationality: New Zealand

Worked for Hearts and Sheffield Wednesday before joining Villa in 2015.

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

Patrick Moore

Nationality: English

Joined the club in January 2019 from Brentford, where he had worked for three-and-a-half years.

HEAD OF NUTRITION

Marcus Hannon

Nationality: English

Performance nutritionist with Everton's Academy, for three years, and with Northampton Saints rugby, before joining Villa in January 2020.

HEAD OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

David Stewart

Nationality: English

Joined from QPR in 2016.

PERFORMANCE ANALYST

Scott Adey-Linforth

Nationality: English

Was the first analyst to work with Villa Ladies. Promoted to Academy and then first team.

PERFORMANCE ANALYST

Joseph Ure

Nationality: English

Hired from Tottenham in April 2019.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Matt Bennett

Nationality: English

Arrived at the club in October 2019 from Minnesota United. Responsible for all first-team operations, including team travel and player logistics.