Your say: Were Aston Villa right to sack Dean Smith?

Aston Villa fans were greeted with the shock news that Dean Smith had been sacked as manager on Sunday.

The news broke after a run of five successive league defeats, with Villa 16th in the table.

Smith, 50, who was appointed in October 2018, guided Villa to 11th place in the top flight last season, two years after taking them up from the Championship.

Here’s what locals are saying about his dismissal as speculation continues that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard will replace him.

“Just didn’t have what you need for that level”

Jim said: “Dean Smith is a good guy. He did really well at Walsall. But technically he just hasn’t got what you need for that level.

“When you look at the managers they’ve got coming in at that level, they are tacticians, they are extraordinary.

“He’s a good guy, he’s a man of the people. But I just don’t think that he’s ready for that level.

“I’ve been to the Villa a couple of times this season. And I have to say, it’s been disappointing.”

“It’s good that Villa can get a better coach”

Mohammad said: “I honestly think that he deserved it. He had to sell Jack Grealish. Then he got Leon Bailey and he had to get the team together.

“I think it’s good that Villa can get a better coach. I reckon Villa can get into the top 10 and top five, easy. I think they can easily be in the premier league. But when he was at the team, they didn’t have a chance.”

“Villa made the right choice”

Panasho said: “I think my man did a decent job last season, but the way things have gone on this season, I think Villa made the right choice really.  And the candidates that they’ve got Martinez. They’ve got Steven Gerrard. Maybe they can get Villa into that top 10 finish. It was the right decision [to sack Dean Smith].”

“We need to do better”

Naveed said: “It is what it is. With any sport, including football, you’ve got to make the correct changes. If the numbers aren’t right. If the performance hasn’t been the best, which it hasn’t. I think they’ve made the right decision to sack him.

“It is sad. But at the same time, we need to do better.”

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