Tim Sherwood has responded to Roy Keane’s claims that he was angling for the Aston Villa job while Paul Lambert was in charge - joking that he will sit in the stands at the Nou Camp or Bernabeu next time he is out of work.

Keane writes in his updated autobiography that Sherwood’s presence at Villa matches as pressure on Lambert mounted was part of a strategy to get the job once the Scot was sacked.

But Sherwood said: ‘I went to a lot of football matches, probably 20-30 while I was out of work. That’s what I do. If that’s a formula to get yourself a job, next time I’m out of work I’ll position myself at the Nou Camp or the Bernabeu.’

Tim Sherwood was in jovial mood during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon

Asked if attending games where managers look at risk is disrespectful, Sherwood replied: ‘I didn’t think that, no. Aston Villa was probably the only club I wasn’t linked with. I went everywhere else.’

Keane, who was assistant to Lambert before leaving in November, also said there was an air of complacency among players at the ‘tired’ club, with Christian Benteke failing to score in training.

Benteke scored only three times in 18 games under Lambert – even being dropped at one stage – but has found his form in stunning fashion under Sherwood, netting 11 goals in 11 games.

‘I don’t want to comment on the previous regime,’ Sherwood said. ‘All I can say is how I’ve found Christian since I’ve come in. He’s very good. He does score in training and more importantly he does score when we put him on the pitch when it matters. I’m pleased for him.

Christian Benteke (right) has scored 11 goals in 11 games for Aston Villa since Sherwood took over

Roy Keane (right) with former Villa manager Paul Lambert at Stoke City on the opening day of the season

‘It takes some time to come back from injury but it’s also about creating chances – if he gets them he’s scores the goals. Perhaps he wasn’t getting as many chances before.’

Sherwood responded to the complacency claim by adding: ‘I can only go on how I’ve seen these boys they realise they’re in a severe situation here, there is a real danger of relegation, they have been warned about that from start.