After 5 consecutive defeats and a poor start to the Premier League season, Smith, who led Villa to a respectable 11th place finish last season, has been removed from his position as manager.

Dean Smith’s removal may come as a surprise to some, but the club deemed it appropriate to relieve him of his duties as Aston Villa sit 16th in the Premier League, dangerously close to the relegation zone. Villa have conceded 8 goals in their last 3 matches and have struggled defensively throughout the season.

Smith took over the club in October of 2018 as Villa sat 14th in the Championship, and led Villa to promotion. He managed to keep the club in the Premier League in 2020, and even reached the final of the Carabo Cup, which the club lost narrowly to Manchester City.

Villa had a busy transfer window, but many of the signings have yet to pay off. The club bought Emi Buendia from Norwich for £38m for a club record fee, Jamaica winger Leon Bailey for £30m, and Danny Ings for £28m. However, even with these new signings, the performances have been lacking, with a real lack of cohesion within the team.

Dean Smith stated: "I understand the football industry and of course, I respect the owners' decision, but I felt that with important players soon returning to full fitness, we would achieve a top-half finish."

Smith joins Xisco Munoz, Nuno Espirito Santo, Steve Bruce and Daniel Farke, who was also sacked this past weekend, in the group of managers leaving their clubs.