text: Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy tried to persuade Tim Sherwood to stay on at the club after sacking him from the head coach role, the Aston Villa manager has revealed. Sherwood will return to White Hart Lane for the first time with his new team on Saturday and said he would ‘absolutely’ shake Levy’s hand. The pair still keep in touch, according to Sherwood, who joked: ‘Just to see who he’s going to sell me!’ Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood watches his players in training at Bodymoor Heath on Thursday . Sherwood claims Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy tried to persuade him to stay on at the club . Midfielder Tom Cleverley and his team-mates warm up as they prepare to face Tottenham on Saturday . Levy sacked Sherwood last May to bring in Mauricio Pochettino, ending the 46-year-old’s five-month stay in charge, and six-year relationship with the club at development level. ‘Daniel Levy has known me for a lot of years,’ said Sherwood. ‘It wasn’t as if I fell off my chair and said, “You’re joking”. I knew it was coming. ‘I was disappointed I was leaving, but Daniel wanted me to stay in some kind of capacity. But I’m a manager now. ‘He didn’t say what job. I was looking around eyeing up the broom cupboards and all that! Levy sacked Sherwood last May to bring in Mauricio Pochettino, ending the 46-year-old’s five-month stay . Striker Christian Benteke was back in training after scoring a hat-trick against QPR on Tuesday night . ‘I respect the decision made by the board. I thank them because not being there now is the reason I am at this fantastic football club. ‘I’ve been in communication with Daniel since I’ve left, I haven’t got a problem. He’s the chairman and he makes those decisions based on what he thinks is in their best interest.’ Sherwood added: ‘I was there the day he walked into the club (in 2001). He got rid of George Graham and brought in Glenn Hoddle in the week building up to the FA Cup semi final. Fabian Delph takes a touch as Villa's players get put through their paces at Villa's training ground . Defender Ciaran Clark (centre) stretches as Sherwood prepares his side to visit White Hart Lane on Saturday . ‘He is not frightened of making decisions at crucial times. You have to say Tottenham is a far better club now than when he found it. I have a lot of good friends at the club, I will shake their hands. Once I get in that dressing room I’ll be telling our boys to do whatever they can to win.’ Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is set to miss the clash against Villa after failing to recover from a gashed knee sustained against Leicester on March 21. Kyle Walker is also a major doubt with a bruised foot sustained in the 0-0 draw at Burnley last Sunday. Hugo Lloris is set to miss the clash after failing to recover from a gashed knee sustained against Leicester .
target: Aston Villa take on Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday .
  The match is Tim Sherwood's first game back at Spurs after being sacked .
  Sherwood is thankful for the opportunity he was given by Daniel Levy .
  Villa boss claims Levy wanted him to stay at Spurs last season .
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