Aston Villa legend Dennis Mortimer says the club needs to restore its missing pride.

Mortimer reckons the new man has a major task on his hands to overhaul an underachieving dressing room and bring the feelgood factor back to Villa's disillusioned fanbase.

"Most of all Villa need a man who can restore some pride to this football club," Mortimer told the Sunday Mercury.

"They need someone who can come in and sort things out because last season was not acceptable.

"They need someone who can bring a playing style to the team, someone who can sort the dressing room and someone who can not just get the fans back into Villa Park but get them enjoying themselves when they are there.

"It's a tough one. Since the demise started with Martin O'Neill leaving and Gerard Houllier and Alex McLeish not working out there has been a downward spiral and they've got to get the right man in."