Aston Villa Manager Roberto Di Matteo sacked

The Roberto Di Matteo era is over. It was short lived and full of last minute disappointments since his June appointment. RDM was well supported during the the transfer window — but could not get the team winning.

More will be said in coming days about what went wrong — but 19th position in the Championship is not where this team should be. The final record for the Italian 1-7-4.

Aston Villa are now seeking their fifth manager since the start of 2015 (not counting caretakers). Some names are already being floated and with two weeks before the Wolves match up the organisation has some time to make a decision.

Club statement in full:

Aston Villa Football Club has today parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo.

The Club decided to act following a run of disappointing results which has the left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.

The Club would like to place on record its appreciation to Roberto for all his efforts in helping rebuild the squad and wish him well for the future.

Steve Clarke will take over as caretaker manager during the search for a new manager.

There will be no further comment from the Club.