Tim Sherwood 's arrival at Aston Villa has given the squad a new lease of life , according to experienced goalkeeper Shay Given . After a disappointing start to his reign , in which the Villans lost two Premier League games in a row , Sherwood has turned it around with two Midlands derby wins over West Brom , first in the league and then in the quarter finals of the FA Cup . And Given , who was in goal for the latter of the two victories , admits that at half-time in Saturday 's match , Sherwood was n't pleased with his side 's performance . Tim Sherwood has produced two consecutive victories against West Brom ; in the league and FA Cup . Aston Villa players celebrate after Fabian Delph opened the scoring in the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday . 'He was n't too happy at half-time , ' Given told Stan Collymore on talkSPORT . 'The flip-chart went flying in the dressing room and I think you saw our reaction in the second half , we were much better and caused West Brom a lot of problems . 'But that 's what he 's there to do . He 's given us a rollicking when we 've needed it and that 's probably the first time he 's really let go . I think a few of the lads were a bit shocked , but it got the reaction we needed . ' Given and Sherwood have history , too . As a player , the now Villa manager won the Premier League title with Blackburn , and a young Given was also in the squad . Shay Given , who was in goal for the FA Cup win , was quick to praise the Villans ' new manager post-match . Gabriel Agbonlahor gestures in celebration towards the Villa fans , who were delighted with the derby win . ' I know Tim from our Blackburn days , ' Given continued . 'We were players together and he was a leader then as the captain , he captained Blackburn to the Premier League title , and he 's very much the same . 'He 's so positive on the training ground , so positive in the stadium and the players are responding to that . ' Villa 's league win over Tony Pulis ' West Brom put some breathing space between them and the bottom three , but there is still a long way to go if they are to avoid the drop . According to Given , Sherwood was a leader on the pitch with Blackburn and he is the same as a manager . Sherwood holds his hands together as he watches the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening .
Tim Sherwood 's West Brom reign began with two straight defeats . Now , though , the Villans have won consecutive games against Aston Villa . Shay Given says his arrival has given the squad a new lease of life . The veteran goalkeeper says Sherwood has always been positive , as a player and now as a manager .