Journalist Dan Rolinson has given his view on Dean Smith’s future at Aston Villa following their latest defeat in the Premier League.
Smith has made great progress with Aston Villa in recent seasons, guiding them from Championship promotion to survival on the last day of the Premier League season, before making great strides the following year.
However, a string of bad results, having now lost four Premier League matches in a row, means that Smith finds himself fighting to save his job, with some reports suggesting that the club have already ‘sounded out’ Paulo Fonseca as a potential replacement for him.
Speaking about Smith on the latest edition of Claret and Blue, Rolinson, speaking before reports emerged regarding Fonseca, felt that Smith was still relatively safe in his job, but did hint that if Villa were to lose their next game, then he could see the scenario playing out where Smith was relieved of his duties.
He said: “I also still don’t think sacking managers is the right thing to do, because I’ve yet to see anyone with a realistic name to change it around, to be honest.
“I think if there was a manager available who’s better than Dean Smith who wanted to come to Villa, I think the owners would have clicked their fingers and just gone and got them now. I don’t think that person is out there as it stands.
“I don’t think that’s the answer. However, losing four in a row, I think if we lose again on Friday at Southampton going into the international break, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the last time we’ve just seen Smith at Villa Park. I don’t think he’ll be there for the game afterwards if we lose five in a row.”
TIF Thoughts on Dan Rolinson’s comments about Dean Smith and Aston Villa…
Will Dean Smith still be manager at Aston Villa next season?
Yes
No
This season was always going to be tough for Aston Villa having lost their talisman in Jack Grealish – someone who they relied on so much when it came to scoring and creating goals – but whilst a slight blip might have been foreseeable, to lose four Premier League games in a row, including one where they were 2-0 up with ten minutes to go, does deserve some extra scrutiny.
However, Smith should still be given some time to try and correct these things, as he has proven in the past that he has got them out of worse positions than this before, and has probably earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to trying to turn the tide.
So as long as he can keep them out of serious trouble when it comes to the relegation zone, then he should still be allowed to keep his job, but whether or not the Villa board feel the same way – as reports surrounding Fonseca hint at – we’ll just have to wait and see.
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