Eric Black confirmed as Remi Garde's assistant at Aston Villa

Aston Villa have confirmed the appointment of Eric Black as first-team coach.

The 52-year-old has left his coaching role at Rotherham United to join Remi Garde's backroom staff at Villa Park.

Garde is said to have hand-picked Black with the hope of using his experience as the Villans try to pull off an unlikely Premier League survival bid.

"I'm pleased to welcome Eric to the football club and I'm really looking forward to working with him," Garde told the club's official website. "He will work alongside Reginald Ray, Robert Duverne and Tony Parks as part of my coaching staff.

"Eric brings a wealth of experience and excellent knowledge of English football and he will help me improve the level of the team."

Villa are rooted to the bottom of the league table, 10 points adrift of safety.