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If Aston Villa need a director of football then Big Ron is the man to do it.

That’s the verdict of former Villa striker Andy Gray, who was responding to rumours that Villa are asking a head-hunting firm to recruit a football man to the boardroom.

Gray was being interviewed by broadcaster and Villa season ticket holder Jonny Gould, who claims the club are interested in adding an extra executive to the team.

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But Gray has dismissed the idea of bringing in consultants to try to find the right man.

“Let’s say I’m Aston Villa and I want someone who knows the game, has an affinity with Villa, and knows about players. Let me think - Ron Atkinson,” Gray said.

“People might think, ‘Don’t be so stupid, Andy’ - I’m just saying that’s right off the top of your head. A man who has 50 years in the game, has huge knowledge of the game, has amazing passion for the game, loves Aston Villa, loved his time there, and knows players.

“Whether it’s in England or abroad. You would rather go to a headhunting company and let them decide who would be a good director of football for you? I don’t get that. It’s a bad mistake for me.

“Get somebody who knows Villa, who knows football, knows the history of Villa, who knows what players Villa might need and go in there and get him to help whether it’s Paul now, or whoever, to help turn the club around.

“To go and headhunt somebody from a company and say ‘Right, who do you think....’ and what are they going to give him, some French guy, some Italian, some Spanish guy just because they have a good CV. No, I’m sorry, it doesn’t work for me."

To listen to the full Jonny Gould interview with Andy Gray click here.

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