Aston Villa caretaker boss Scott Marshall explained how the half-time intervention of new manager Tim Sherwood helped spur them on to FA Cup victory over Leicester City.
Villa struggled to break down a their resolute Premier League rivals in the first period with the Foxes enjoying the better chances. However the home side were a different beast after the break, playing with imagination and vigour.
And Marshall admitted that, after goals from Leandro Bacuna and Scott Sinclair had sealed victory, Sherwood had played a part in that transformation.
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester City
The FA Cup
Fifth Round proper
Sunday 15 February 2015
Villa Park, Birmingham
Click here for match stats
“He came in and made a couple of points to the lads, there were a couple of bits and pieces for everyone really,” he said.
“I felt the boys delivered that in the second half and were very good.”
Marshall revealed how he gave his half-time team talk before taking a back seat so the newly appointed boss, who was watching the game from the stands, could have his say.
He was quick to underline how impressed he was by the former Tottenham Hotspur gaffer.
“He gave some good information to the group,” he said. “There’s a football knowledge there that comes from experience and a lifetime in the game.”
Paul Lambert’s dismissal came some 24 hours after Villa’s defeat at Hull City on Tuesday night, with Sherwood’s appointment being announced on the eve of Sunday’s FA Cup Fifth Round game.
Leicester keeper Mark Schwarzer dejected after conceding a second
Marshall admitted it has been a frantic week at Villa Park but says he is very pleased with how the players have handled everything that has gone on.
“The last three days have been pretty intense,” he said.
“The group have been very professional about the change of manager and they’ve delivered on the pitch today.
“They’ve showed a great spirit and togetherness.”
It was also pointed out to Marshall that when he hands over the reigns on Monday he will do so with a 100 per cent managerial record. That brought a wry smile from the Scot.
“That’ll do, I will retire with that then,” he said with a chuckle, “it’s never going to get any better than that is it?”
