Aston Villa confirm Smith departure

 

Aston Villa have announced that they have taken the decision to relieve Dean Smith of his duties as head coach. 

 

A 1-0 loss to Southampton on Friday night proved to be the end of Smith at Villa Park with the Villans now mired on a five-game losing streak. 

 

 

"Aston Villa Football Club can confirm that the Club have parted company with Head Coach Dean Smith," a statement read on the club's official website. 

 

"Dean was appointed Villa Head Coach just over three years ago in October 2018 and led the Club back to the Premier League via the play-offs in his first season in charge following a club-record ten-match winning sequence towards the end of that campaign. 

 

"The following season, he kept Villa in the top flight while also leading the team out at the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley, narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City. 

 

"The process of replacing Dean will now begin and the Club will update supporters in due course." 

 

Defeat at St. Mary's leaves Villa 15th in the table, but just two points clear of the relegation zone.