Steve Clarke named as Roberto Di Matteo's assistant manager at Aston Villa

Aston Villa have announced that Steve Clarke has been appointed as assistant manager to new boss Roberto Di Matteo.

The 52-year-old was widely expected to join the backroom team after Di Matteo was confirmed as Remi Garde's replacement last week.

Clarke, who has had spells as assistant coach at Newcastle United, Chelsea, West Ham United and Liverpool, has been out of work since getting sacked as manager of Reading in December 2015.

As well as Clarke's arrival, Villa have announced the hiring of Kevin Bond as first-team coach, Massimo Battara as goalkeeping coach and Massimiliano Marchesi as fitness coach at the Midlands club.

Villa will play in the Championship next season after they finished bottom of the Premier League table with just 17 points.