Wednesday 15 June 2016 18:23, UK
New Aston Villa boss Roberto Di Matteo has vowed to unify the club as he plots a path back to the Premier League.
The former Chelsea boss took over at Villa Park on a two-year contract on June 3, with the Italian also securing the services of Steve Clarke, sacked as Reading boss in December, as his assistant.
Villa completed the sale of the club to the Recon Group on Tuesday, a day after its owner Tony Xia passed the Premier League and Football League's fit and proper person test.
The Chinese businessman bought the Championship club in May from American Randy Lerner, who had been looking to sell up since 2014.
But Di Matteo is focused on matters on the pitch and says it is vital the players are of the right character if the club is to escape the Championship.
"We need a united group, people who are willing to fight for each other, to fight for the club," he said. "That is the most important aspect, that they will put their services for the good of the team.
"I think that will be a big job to find the right personnel that will bring those attributes. It's an exciting project and that's one of the reasons I am here."
Di Matteo believes he can benefit from the fresh start at the club following Xia's arrival after a period of decline under Lerner's ownership.
"It's a rebuilding job isn't it. You look at the last three to four years and it's been a club that has been in decline and ultimately relegation last season.
"We know it is going to be difficult, it's going to be a job where we have to turn things around. It is a team that struggled in the Premier League last season.
"It is a new start, new ownership, new management team. We will take it from there and we will try and do everything we can within reasons that will help us and guide us next season."
Xia has previously said Di Matteo would have between £30m and £40m to spend on new players.
"That (money) is something that I will talk about with Robbie, we will do whatever we can to support him," said the 39-year-old. This is a new challenge and I am looking forward to working with Roberto. I want to take this club back to the right place."
