Roberto Di Matteo has backed Aston Villa to start climbing the table despite being sacked by the club earlier this week.
The 46-year-old became the shortest-reigning manager in the club's history when he was sacked after just 124 days in charge having picked up just one win from his opening 11 Championship fixtures.
However, Di Matteo believes that the team were on the brink of turning their form around and backed the club to return to the Premier League in the "near future".
"My coaching staff and I have worked tirelessly to rebuild the squad and I fully expect the players we have brought in to start delivering results in the weeks and months to come. I have seen enough over the opening games of the season to suggest that the team we have built will start converting draws into wins and climb the table towards the playoff places," he said in a statement.
"I would like to thank the players, coaches, medical team and support staff at Bodymoor Heath, who are some of the most committed and talented I have worked with. I would also like to thank the fans and I am really appreciative of the support they have shown the club so far this season.
"Finally, I wish everyone at the club, Dr Tony Xia and the board, well for the rest of the season. I am sure that the work we have done over the past four months will contribute to seeing Villa back in the Premier League in the near future."
Steve Clarke has taken over the reins as interim boss, with Steve Bruce the early favourite to succeed Di Matteo.
Barney Corkhill
