Fans held Keane in highest regard

Aston Villa fans saw Roy Keane as their saviour. The decision to make him assistant manager came at a time when all the fans I knew were baying for blood.

They wanted manager Paul Lambert out and new owners who could spend money to compete with the top six — not a miserly few signings that lacked Premier League quality.

Pundits and fans alike were convinced Keane would soon be Villa’s next manager.