Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is delighted with the spirit of his squad ahead of tonight's clash with Manchester United.

Smith has assembled a squad blessed not only with individual talent, but also bags of team spirit and camaraderie which was on show in Villa's draw at Chelsea last time out.

He's achieved it by carefully selecting new signings to ensure the harmony which has been built at Bodymoor Heath isn't disrupted.

“I said when I first came in it takes a while to grow a culture," he explained. “That's the most important thing for me at any workplace. If you have a good culture then you've got a chance of doing things.

“We feel with the people we already had at the club and what we've added is good characters and good people who can enhance the culture."