Aaron Danks vowed to hold the fort at managerless Aston Villa “until told otherwise” after hailing his players’ response to a “rollercoaster few days.”
Local lad Danks enjoyed a dream debut as interim boss following Steven Gerrard’s sacking as Villa romped to a 4-0 demolition of Brentford.
The hunt for Gerrard’s successor is already under way and Danks, who has stepped up from his role as first-team coach, insists he will step up for as long as the club need him.
He said: “I have been asked to step forward to lead the team and will do that until told otherwise.
“I haven’t had much time to reflect. Some really good people lost their roles, some I was close to. For me it has not been a time of reflection but of looking forwards. I have got so much respect for those guys.”
Danks, who hails from Yardley in Birmingham, was thrilled with the response of Villa’s players as they bounced back from the 3-0 loss to Fulham on Thursday which ended Gerrard’s reign.
He said: “As a local lad, I know the area and the supporters so it was nice from that perspective.
“I know the players well and they played with energy and purpose like I asked them to.
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“They were all so good," he continued. "The thing that impressed me the most was the whole group, the squad, everyone pulling together.
“It is too difficult to single anyone out.”
Danks made the bold call to leave skipper John McGinn out of his starting XI – but three goals in the first 14 minutes vindicated his decision.
He added: “John is a super professional. For me it wasn’t about dropping anyone.
“It was a three game week and holding players back who could influence the game. The players who started did brilliantly and the ones who finished did brilliantly.”
