Tim Sherwood wants Villa Park to be a fortress

New Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood says he is now the 'headmaster,' adding he will be brutally honest if his players fail to perform.

Sherwood, 46, was appointed as Paul Lambert's replacement on Saturday and watched Villa beat Leicester 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday.

He said: "One thing I can guarantee, if I'm going to be guilty of something it will be being honest."

Villa are currently third from bottom in the Premier League.

Sherwood previously compared himself to a supply teacher during his five months in charge at Spurs from December 2013 to May 2014, claiming uncertainty over his future led to a lack of respect from some Tottenham players.

"I'm the headmaster now," he said at his first official news conference as Villa manager on Monday.

"If they do well they will be told, if they don't do well they will also be told and told why. You have to be constructive.

"You have to talk to them. Some people might have played well and need to be patted on the back.

"Some people need a kick up the backside at the right time and I need to be that person to be able to do that," the former midfielder added.

And one of Sherwood's first tasks is to help striker Christian Benteke to recapture his form of the last two seasons to help Villa start climbing the table.

The Belgium striker has scored only three goals in 19 Villa appearances this term after netting 34 in 62 games in the previous two seasons.

He was left out of the side for both the home defeat by Chelsea and Tuesday's loss away to Hull City - Lambert's last game in charge.

"Benteke is a handful," added Sherwood.

"It is bringing that player back to life and also enhancing what is around him. Everyone has to recognise that," he continued.

Sherwood was responsible for reviving Emmanuel Adebayor's Tottenham career, and hopes that same can be achieved with Benteke.

The former England midfielder said: "Yes, it was the case with Ade (Emmanuel Adebayor) and, yes, it could possibly be the case with Christian and we hope it will be.

"A goal will breed confidence and the rest will follow. But it is not a one-man team. He needs to be helped by the rest of the team."

Sherwood's new club have won only two home league games all season, their last was 2-1 against Leicester City on 7 December.

He said: "When I came here as a player I found it a difficult place to get a result. I want to turn it into a fortress.

"I've come from one big club to another big club. It is a fantastic opportunity for me. I will give 100% to keep Villa in the Premier League and then try to move it on in the future."