Ray Wilkins has heaped praise on Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood for signing Micah Richards.

The 26-year old defender joined Villa after leaving Manchester City recently, following a season-long loan at Fiorentina, and new assistant boss Wilkins believes it is a brilliant piece of business by the club.

"He's had a couple of difficult seasons at Fiorentina after starting about eight or nine games but when players go abroad and learn their trade it helps," Wilkins told the Birmingham Mail.

"What we might see is a better player now who is more tactically aware.

"He can play comfortably at right full-back and centre-back.

"At 26 years of age. I think the business that Tim did there was phenomenal."