Former Aston Villa defender Gareth Southgate is happy with their loan signing of LA Galaxy striker Robbie Keane.

Southgate believes the signing will lift some of the doom and gloom that has built up around Villa Park in recent years as supporters have had to watch their most talented players move on to bigger and better things year after year.

"To be able to bring in a short-term signing with Premier League pedigree like Robbie is great," he told the Sunday Mercury.

"That market is very difficult so players like Robbie that you can bring in to do a job in the shorter term can give the place a lift.

"It will pick the fans up, definitely.

"He's fit, LA Galaxy won the cup so he will be in good nick and it will give him a chance to put himself on show in this league again.

"Robbie is the type of player who likes to link play up and come to the ball a bit more.

"Darren Bent likes to play behind defenders and Gabby Agbonlahor likes to go in behind defences too.

"Maybe it will give Villa something different to what they have already got.

"It's good to be able to mix the game up."