Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Sexual Ealing]

Yes! Dean Smith in!

[kippaxvilla2]

I want Dean in the Villa.

[nigel]

I just put in the Wolves post match thread that it’s so refreshing that being a man down away from home in a tight game doesn’t mean shutting up shop. We have reaped rewards overall with Dean’s tactics and bravery and long may it continue. If he continues this philosophy with better players year after year, then we could be on the cusp of something special.

Yep. He could have easily thrown on a defensive midfielder when Doug went off, but he stuck with what he had and it paid off. A lot of credit due there.

Which a lot on here we’re calling for, too.

[manic-road]

Really happy with the way Dean Smith and the coaches have improved the team, every Villa player that I can think of has improved since he has been at the club, and we are now witnessing very good performances that two years ago were unthinkable.

[olaftab]

With almost  1/3 of the season gone Dean is doing better than every Coach except Klopp and he has already humiliated him in the 1 to 1 encounter. Well played sir.

[Steve67]

Really happy with the way Dean Smith and the coaches have improved the team, every Villa player that I can think of has improved since he has been at the club, and we are now witnessing very good performances that two years ago were unthinkable.

I'm not sure they've peaked yet either.  More to come from SJM, Watkins, Konsa, Cash etc.  Add to the squad now and we will be easily top ten.

[Mellin]

I think we are top 10 already. Top 5 (Arsenal are gone) out of reach for now. We're on a par with Leicester, Southampton and Everton imo. Next goal is to surpass them.

[dave.woodhall]

Really happy with the way Dean Smith and the coaches have improved the team, every Villa player that I can think of has improved since he has been at the club, and we are now witnessing very good performances that two years ago were unthinkable.

That's something else that struck me today - there's not a player in the squad who isn't better now than they were last season.

[Lastfootstamper]

Last season feels so very long ago, yet 12 months ago we were still awaiting the relief cavalry charge of Baston, Drinkwater and Samatta to heave into sight.

Even more recently, imagine going up to the sorry bunch at half time after Konsa had got trod on by Fernandes and saying, "keep at it, lads, in under three months' time you'll be sticking seven past liverpool". What a ride this is!

[Monty]

As good a time as any to reaffirm how brilliantly he's doing, and how daft he's making a lot of our comments on this thread look. I for one have never been happier to be wrong about a manager.

[Risso]

Really happy with the way Dean Smith and the coaches have improved the team, every Villa player that I can think of has improved since he has been at the club, and we are now witnessing very good performances that two years ago were unthinkable.

That's something else that struck me today - there's not a player in the squad who isn't better now than they were last season.

Mainly due to limited playing time, but I don't think you can argue that Nakamba, Davis or Guilbert have improved. 

[aj2k77]

Away, we have a perfect game plan at the moment. There are times at home when we are too open and in general our set piece defending could be improved a bit. Overall he's made me look a mug though and we've come on this season more than I expected with him.

[eamonn]

As someone mentioned recently, I wish our current lot could play Man City in a League Cup Final now. Our first trophy in 25 years would be there for the taking.

[Ian.]

That has to be the biggest credit to Smith and his coaches, the improvement of the players. Matt Taggart has been superb all season and looking like the price tag he came with. I thought he did get unjustified stick at times last season as he was also one of our best attacking outlets alongside Jack at times. However his all round game is just so much better now. He seems much tougher and braver too and he’s winning high balls quite often.

Just image on this basis how good Cash and Dougie will be next season!

[ChicagoLion]

i am Ok with not being in the League Cup this year, would love us to do something special in the FA Cup though.