---
title: "Villa confirm O’Kelly arrival as the truth about Terry’s move is revealed"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2018/10/15/villa-confirm-okelly-arrival-as-the-truth-about-terrys-move-is-revealed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2018-10-15T13:11:33Z"
modified: "2018-10-15T13:11:33Z"
---

# Villa confirm O’Kelly arrival as the truth about Terry’s move is revealed

Aston Villa have confirmed the arrival of Richard O’Kelly from Brentford as Dean Smith’s assistant head coach.

[Sky Sports have reported](https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1051814778103091202) that the former Brentford man will link up with Smith at Villa Park, as things start to take shape under the new boss.

Smith replaced Steve Bruce at Villa Park last week, with John Terry also part of the coaching set-up.

It had previously been suggested that Terry was being forced into Smith’s deal, with the club keen to hand him a role in some capacity one or another.

![Clive Mason/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2018/10/962728926.jpg)

However, [the Express and Star report](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2018/10/15/exclusive-villa-boss-dean-smith-wanted-old-pal-john-terry-as-coach/) that Smith himself was keen to bring the former Chelsea defender in all along.

The pair have known each other for some time and met through John’s brother Paul Terry many years ago. They have since played golf together and stayed in regular contact.

Smith and Paul worked together at Leyton Orient during the latter’s time playing for the club.