Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Toronto Villa]

Some reports coming out of the Washington Post that we will be in DC for a pre season game. Count me in for that.

[Steve67]

I like the fact that we are able to pass the ball all over the park and close the opposition down quickly.  We have the players able to press the play but to do something productive with the ball once we win it back quickly.  That's the beauty of having Jack and SJM in the side too. 

[KRS]

...and yet just a few weeks ago the team could barely pass to a team mate and kept giving away possession cheaply. The confidence oozing through the team at the moment is there for all to see.

[adrenachrome]

Aston Villa
‏Verified account @AVFCOfficial
7h7 hours ago

Today we're saying happy birthday to the gaffer 🎉

#OneOfOurOwn #AVFC

[KRS]

Happy birthday Dean!

[Deano's Mullet]

Happy birthday from one Deano to another! Deano Smith's Claret Blue Army!

[Diablo]

Great to hear that Tammy is fit for Blackburn although DS mentions he's had a groin injury as well as the reported calf injury.

[sickbeggar]

As someone who was worried he'd struggle here due to expectation and not being a big name, I think whatever happens this season, he deserves the time to build his own team over the next 2/3 seasons. The most pleasing thing for me is how the competition has increased - the bench now looks strong, not because of new personnel but because you get in the team on form not reputation and it shows with the performances of Adomah, Kodjia and Tuanzebe when they came on. The days of players being on the bench purely to make up numbers seems gone,

[Toronto Villa]

If only we had Dean Smith from the very start of the campaign...

[Lastfootstamper]

As someone who was worried he'd struggle here due to expectation and not being a big name, I think whatever happens this season, he deserves the time to build his own team over the next 2/3 seasons. The most pleasing thing for me is how the competition has increased - the bench now looks strong, not because of new personnel but because you get in the team on form not reputation and it shows with the performances of Adomah, Kodjia and Tuanzebe when they came on. The days of players being on the bench purely to make up numbers seems gone,

Apart from Mings and Hause, everyone was here and available under our previous manager. And now look at us! It's not just the results, it's the manner of how they're being achieved with virtually the same squad, and the players have all heavily bought into the ethos.

The PL will be a massive challenge for Smith, but he's a modern coach, and I see nothing in him to suggest he wouldn't consider himself up to the task. He was brought in for a reason, I expect him to be backed, and I believe he'll do us proud.

Right man, right club, right time. I love him.

[sickbeggar]

As someone who was worried he'd struggle here due to expectation and not being a big name, I think whatever happens this season, he deserves the time to build his own team over the next 2/3 seasons. The most pleasing thing for me is how the competition has increased - the bench now looks strong, not because of new personnel but because you get in the team on form not reputation and it shows with the performances of Adomah, Kodjia and Tuanzebe when they came on. The days of players being on the bench purely to make up numbers seems gone,

Apart from Mings and Hause, everyone was here and available under our previous manager. And now look at us! It's not just the results, it's the manner of how they're being achieved with virtually the same squad, and the players have all heavily bought into the ethos.

The PL will be a massive challenge for Smith, but he's a modern coach, and I see nothing in him to suggest he wouldn't consider himself up to the task. He was brought in for a reason, I expect him to be backed, and I believe he'll do us proud.

Right man, right club, right time. I love him.

yep its deffo a change of mindset. I'm sure we've had Tuenzebe Adomah, Hourihane and Kodjia on the bench before but they've been absolute shoe-ins to start in the past under Bruce and now they've got to fight to get back in the side. And players like chester to come back as well. Before we were just swapping one out of form player for another

[Brend'Watkins]

If only we had Dean Smith from the very start of the campaign...

Or even, if only Grealish didn’t get injured. With Smith as manager obviously.

[Steve67]

It’s also great that Jack has not been at his absolute best in the last two games as goals and assists have come from around the team. No one can say we are a one man team.

Dean Smith, please, please finish the job!

[CT]

It’s also great that Jack has not been at his absolute best in the last two games as goals and assists have come from around the team. No one can say we are a one man team.

Dean Smith, please, please finish the job!

The jobs finished when he's standing there with the Champions League trophy...😉

[Lastfootstamper]

He's certainly put bums on seats. The online ticket site lists only 42 seats available in the entire ground for next Saturday.