Aston Villa staff profiles

SPORTING DIRECTOR

Jesus Garcia Pitarch

Nationality: Spanish

Appointed in October 2018, at the same time as Smith and Terry. CEO Christian Purslow said he would be responsible for ensuring an "integrated approach running from the academy through the U23s and into the first-team.” Previously worked as Sporting Director at Valencia, who won La Liga and the Uefa Cup while he was there, and Atletico Madrid, who claimed the Europa League and European Super Cup.

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.

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.

INJURY PREVENTION SPECIALIST

John Hartley

Nationality: English

With the club since February 2012, having previously been Head of Sports Medicine at Warrington Wolves. Did this piece for us about the isokinetic dynamometer.

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.

PERFORMANCE NUTRITIONIST

Scott Robinson

Nationality: English

Consultant nutritionist who has worked with the club since 2014.

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.