---
title: "Aston Villa: Fans react to Austin MacPhee appointment"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-fans-react-to-austin-macphee-appointment/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Aston Villa"
published: "2021-08-04T17:05:43Z"
modified: "2021-08-04T17:05:43Z"
---

# Aston Villa: Fans react to Austin MacPhee appointment

**Aston Villa [announced](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/august/MacPhee-joins-as-specialised-set-piece-coach/) on Tuesday that Austin MacPhee has joined the club as their new specialised set-piece coach, and that appointment has had a lot of Villa supporters talking on social media.**

The 41-year-old, who retired as a player back in [2006](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/austin-macphee/profil/trainer/50430), has held numerous assistant roles in recent years. He [worked](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2021/08/04/villa-appoint-austin-macphee-as-dedicated-set-piece-coach/) alongside Michael O’Neill with Northern Ireland, while also being a number two with Hearts, St Mirren and most recently FC Midtjylland.

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[The Express and Star](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2021/08/04/villa-appoint-austin-macphee-as-dedicated-set-piece-coach/) suggest that it was with Hearts where MacPhee’s set-piece coaching reputation began.

[Reports](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-dean-smith-plea-20937498) at the beginning of July claimed that Villa were looking to bring in a set-piece coach, and Dean Smith has seemingly had his wish granted with the appointment of MacPhee.

Smith knows what it’s like to work with a set-piece coach during his time as [Brentford boss](https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/aston-villa/2018/11/09/dean-smith-considers-set-piece-coach-for-aston-villa/), and MacPhee’s work will hopefully help Villa with the small margins of attacking and defending dead-ball situations.

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### Villa fans react

[@villareport](https://twitter.com/villareport/status/1422519532451733510) shared the news regarding MacPhee on Tuesday lunchtime. Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with one labelling it as ‘great’ and a few now hoping to see [free kick specialist](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-ward-prowse/alletore/spieler/181579) and [reported Villa transfer target](https://twitter.com/skysportsnews/status/1422232403939139591?s=21) James-Ward-Prowse follow MacPhee to the Midlands.

**“To work alongside JWP? good timing”**

[Credit: @TyBracey](https://twitter.com/TyBracey/status/1422519612877545472)

**“it’s all happening”**

[Credit: @catrinavfc](https://twitter.com/catrinavfc/status/1422519708197195776)

**“ANNOUNCE WARD-PROWSE”**

[Credit: @Dips\_avfc](https://twitter.com/Dips_avfc/status/1422546545807962116)

**“Great bit of business this. We’ve under utilised set pieces since the days of Laursen & Mellberg. Could be the difference this”**

[Credit: @Reece\_AV](https://twitter.com/Reece_AV/status/1422549197958651904)

**“YEEEEESSSSS FINALLY”**

[Credit: @AVFC\_AP](https://twitter.com/AVFC_AP/status/1422523062398984192)

**“Needed”**

[Credit: @GW\_94](https://twitter.com/GW_94/status/1422519630673895425)

**“Need Ward-Prowse or otherwise there is absolutely no point”**

[Credit: @Harry34740948](https://twitter.com/Harry34740948/status/1422520321295495171)

***In other news:*** [***‘Jeez’, ‘Genuinely gutted’ – Many Aston Villa fans react to John Percy’s update on this player***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/aston-villa-news/aston-villa-fans-react-to-keinan-davis-update-2/)