Former Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has spoken highly of new Villa manager Tim Sherwood, but believes that it will take a lot of effort to get the West Midlands outfit back on track.

Villa are 18th in the Premier League table after scoring just 12 goals this season, with former boss Paul Lambert paying the price by being sacked earlier this week.

Jenas, who worked with Sherwood when both were at White Hart Lane, told BBC Sport: I enjoyed working with Tim at Tottenham. I can't speak highly enough of him. I think it is [the right appointment for Villa].

"His work with young players, the training sessions were fantastic, fitness levels too. When I was working with him I felt great.

"It was a tough job Paul Lambert had, but given the run of results they have been on... I have seen better sides go down. This Premier League is ruthless and you have to perform on the pitch."

Villa are back in league action next Saturday, at home to Stoke City.