DEAN SMITH is reportedly on the brink of losing his job at Aston Villa as relegation fears mount ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash with Chelsea.
His position is under huge scrutiny after a run of ten defeats in 15 matches left chiefs fearing an immediate return to the Championship.
Dean Smith is facing a crunch clash with Chelsea as speculation over his future intensifiesCredit: Getty Images
Despite splashing out a whopping £135million over the last two transfer windows since promotion, the Villans are two points adrift of safety with just ten matches remaining.
And that has left the 44-year-old fighting for his future, according to The Telegraph.
Villa, who are pointless from their last four outings, host in-form Chelsea and also have to face Liverpool and Manchester United out of their next four top-flight games.
Smith took charge in November 2018 and guided his boyhood club to the Premier League via the play-offs last season.
They reached Wembley again this term in the Carabao Cup Final, narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City earlier this month.
But league form has been a completely different story with his side conceding a league-worst of 56 goals – an average of two a game.
Although there is still time for the ex-Brentford boss to turn things around, the performances and dismal run of form is causing great concern for the Villa hierarchy.
Particularly their last two, with a poor 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Southampton and Monday’s 4-0 drubbing at Leicester, have set alarm bells ringing.
Villa do not play again following the Chelsea showdown until April 4 when they host Wolves, and take break will allow Smith’s bosses to take stock of the situation.
Following the play-off win over Derby to seal promotion, the club’s co-owner Nassef Sawiris said: “The sky is the limit, with such a fanbase and such a great squad.
“Our ambition was not just to get promoted but to do well in the Premier League.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
