Aston Villa staff profiles
Pen pics of Aston Villa's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click here.
FOOTBALL EXECUTIVE
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.
COACHING STAFF
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 AND MEDICAL
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.
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.
ANALYSTS
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.
