Former Blues U18s manager Adem Atay has been appointed professional development coach at Premier League Aston Villa, working alongside ex-Town U23s manager Gerard Nash.

At the end of last month, TWTD revealed that Atay, 36, had handed in his notice at Town at the end of last month after 17 years at Playford Road having been headed hunted by Villa.

Nash left the Blues last summer to become high performance coach with the FAI in his native Republic of Ireland, although has continued to live locally. The 35-year-old will be working as lead U18s professional development phase coach at Villa Park.

Academy manager Mark Harrison told the Villa official site: “We are delighted that Tony [Carss, who has also joined the staff from Blackburn], Gerard and Adem are joining us after a thorough recruitment process.

“They will bring with them a wealth of experience in player development and their appointments will also strengthen our player development coaching strategy.

“This will allow us to support individual player development further as we will now have three outfield coaches at both U23 and U18 level.”

Former Town head of academy recruitment Steve McGavin has been on the VIlla staff for a number of years.

Meanwhile, we understand nothing should be read into wantaway striker Tyreece Simpson having appeared on social media wearing West Brom training kit.

The 20-year-old, who has told the Blues he wants to move on this summer, was pictured in the kit while working with a Norfolk-based personal trainer.

As reported in April, Luton, Peterborough and Barnsley are all keen, while Charlton could also show interest with Ben Garner, ex-boss of Simpson's former loan club Swindon, having taken over at the Valley.

Photos: Matchday Images/TWTD

OwainG1992 added 20:44 - Jun 15 Fair play big club to continue the pairs progression. Regards Simpson, I just want him gone at this point. What's the point having someone who doesn't want to be here. Cut the losses. A bad egg can spoil the bigger plate.
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trncbluearmy added 20:47 - Jun 15 There be back,
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Millsey added 22:03 - Jun 15 Good bye and thanks
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Keanos_Barmy added 22:24 - Jun 15 Absolutely gutted.
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runningout added 22:27 - Jun 15 Nice one. Hope they do the business. No point in wasting your energy being gutted, if you sadly are
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Dissboyitfc added 07:43 - Jun 16 i thought McGavin was still at Norwich, as for for the other 2, the grass isnt always greener, time will tell, the same with Simpson, want him gone, anybody who doesnt want to be here, regardless of their position at the club, can go! Great times ahead, we only need fully commited people!
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JewellintheTown added 10:20 - Jun 16 I wish all three well, although Simpson doesn't seem to want to be too professional about it compared the Nash and Atay. Positive spin, its useful to have the latter two as connections for the future. Louie Barry was just a blip.
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PhuketPete added 04:34 - Jun 22 Who knows what the truth is re TS... I think we just have to assume MA and KM know what they're doing and hope for the best. If they decide to keep TS and it still works out for him to play a role I'll be delighted. If not, ce la vie. But we supporters shouldn't (imo) prematurely close the door on him
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