Aston Villa have announced the appointment of Eric Black as first-team coach.

The 52-year-old Scot, who left his post as assistant manager at Rotherham on Monday, linked up with Villa boss Remi Garde yesterday and will start work with immediate effect.

In a club statement, Garde said: “I’m pleased to welcome Eric to the club and I’m looking forward to working with him.

“Eric brings a wealth of experience and excellent knowledge of English football and he will help me improve the level of the team.”

Villa sit at the foot of the Premier League table with 13 points from their first 23 games of the campaign, but are unbeaten in their last three matches in the competition.

Newcastle agree fee for Townsend

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend is on his way to Newcastle after the two clubs finally agreed a £12 million deal, reports said yesterday.

After several rounds of talks, Magpies managing director Lee Charnley was able to deliver the news coach Steve McClaren wanted to hear when a deal for a player he has targeted throughout January was struck.

It is understood Townsend is keen to push through the move after slipping out of the reckoning at White Hart Lane following a difference of opinion with a member of Mauricio Pochettino’s staff.

Buffon wants 2018 WCup swansong

Evergreen Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon intends to retire after the 2018 World Cup.

Buffon, who turns 38 tomorrow, has represented his country a record 154 times and has made well over 500 appearances for Serie A champions Juventus.

Buffon said: “Am I going to sign a new contract? If we manage to reach the World Cup in 2018 then I’ll press on.

“But after that... I’ll bring down the shutters.”

Buffon, who holds the record for most clean sheets kept in Serie A, remains the most expensive keeper in history as Juve paid Parma €52 million for his services almost 15 years ago.

Atletico appeal

Atletico Madrid have lodged a formal appeal against their player-registration ban.

The Spanish giants, along with city rivals Real, have been banned by FIFA from registering new signings for the next two transfer windows after being found to have breached rules on the international transfer and registration of players aged under 18.

Atletico Madrid announced their intention to appeal against the sanction two weeks ago and they have now made their position official.

Vertonghen suffers ligament damage

Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen faces weeks on the sidelines with damaged knee ligaments after falling awkwardly following an elbow to the face by Crystal Palace striker Connor Wickham in the Premier League on Saturday.

The loss of Vertonghen, 28, who along with fellow Belgium international Toby Alderweireld has played every league game for Spurs this season, will come as a huge blow to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

With Vertonghen and Alderweireld at the heart of their defence, Tottenham have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the top flight this campaign and Pochettino will now have to turn to Austrian Kevin Wimmer or England’s Eric Dier for adequate cover.

Mainz sign Donati

Mainz have signed right-back Giulio Donati from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old Italian, who has penned a three-and-a-half year contract, has made 12 lea-gue appearances this season.

Sporting director Christian Heidel said: “As a result of Gonzalo Jara’s departure, we looked for reinforcement in the full-back position and we’ve found that in Giulio Donati.

“He’s played for a top side in the Bundesliga and has shown his potential in the Champions League. We’re happy to have a good, passionate footballer with a great character who enriches our squad.”

Gervinho leaves for Hebei Fortune

Gervinho has left Serie A side Roma to join Chinese Super League new-boys Hebei Fortune in a deal reported to be worth around 18 million euros.

The former Arsenal forward, who has scored six goals for the Italian club this season, had been linked with a switch to Jiangsu Suning.

But the 28-year-old has now been pictured holding the shirt of newly-promoted Hebei Fortune, who were only formed in 2010.

Former Milan striker Stephan El Shaarawy, meanwhile, will replace the Ivorian striker after he agreed to join the Giallorossi on loan until the end of the season.