Roberto Di Matteo: Villa challenge among toughest of my career

The Italian claims to have never experienced confidence levels as low as those at Villa Park during his whole career, either as a player or manager.

Villa have lost their opening two games, including an embarrassing League Cup exit at Luton Town and boss Di Matteo admits some players are suffering a "hangover" from last season, when the club was relegated from the Premier League.

"Personally, I have never experienced this," he said. "Neither as a player or a manager. It is definitely a mindset which needs to be changed here."

Villa entertain Rotherham at home on Saturday, looking for their first win since February and three points which Di Matteo believes could make a big difference to the mood.

He added: "There are signs of improvement but the best recipe is to get a good positive result.

"The sooner the win comes the better it is, it will build players confidence, team confidence and the whole environment. There is definitely a mindset, this hangover."

Asked if the task of reviving Villa was among the toughest he has faced, Di Matteo replied: "Absolutely, I think so. When you have to build a new team and there is so much movement and then you need to work with the players here over a period of time to make them understand what your principles are and how you want the team to play.

"In football, it takes time but we all understand we live by results."

Di Matteo has hinted at a busy end to the transfer window as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

James Chester has become the club's fifth signing after completing his move from Albion, for a fee which could rise to £8million dependent on add-ons.

The deal pushed Villa's summer spending past the £30million mark and more deals thought to be close, with the manager keen on both Leicester City full-back Ritchie De Laet and Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak.

"He's not the only player linked with us but he certainly a player that I looked at and I think he is a good player," said Di Matteo, when asked about Jedinak.

"He's got very good attributes that I like. Not just for this division but in general."

He went on: "We are working to improve the squad and bring in the right players and characters.

"It's not going to happen in a week or two weeks and this is the difficulty.

"There are going to be changes, absolutely, but it is difficult to say how many.

"We are certainly looking to bring in some fresh faces that can really have an impact on the team."