Former Aston Villa striker Dwight Yorke has stated that he would like to become the next manager of the club following the exit of Tim Sherwood.

The Midlanders parted company with the 46-year-old on Sunday following the team's slow start to the Premier League season, which has seen them win just one game so far.

Yorke has claimed that despite not having any managerial experience, his knowledge of Villa makes him a strong candidate for the role.

"People are going to say I'm crazy for putting my name in the hat," he told talkSPORT. "But I've been involved in football for a very long time and, having played for Aston Villa for ten years, I've looked at the club and seen the direction they're heading in – it's a dire situation.

"Yes, Tim was sacked yesterday and that's very sad, but it's a situation that's been ongoing for around five years now. You look at the way Villa have spent their time in the Premier League, avoiding relegation just by the skin of their teeth. They're bottom of the league now and it's a very worrying time for the club.

"People will say I don't have any experience, but we've seen people with experience go in there and struggle to do a job. I know that club inside out and I've looked at the squad, there's enough in there to get them out in this position and there's enough time as well. It's whether the owners are prepared to give an aspiring young manager an opportunity."

Yorke scored 97 goals in 294 appearances for Villa from 1989 to 1998.