Shay Given has been asked to take part in coaching Aston Villa on a temporary basis.

The former Ireland international has been frozen out of first-team action at Villa Park this season.

But now he has been temporarily promoted to assistant manager to Paul Lambert and his coaching staff after the club suspended Lambert's assistants Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa.

Assistant manager Culverhouse and head of football operations Karsa have both been asked to step aside, pending an internal investigation.

Given and former Villa midfielder Gordon Cowans will help Lambert and the rest of his coaching staff to prepare the team for Saturday's Premier League clash with Southampton.