The Bees boss takes his side to Villa Park on Wednesday night.
Brentford manager Dean Smith
Brentford boss Dean Smith has outlined to the Express and Star just how big an Aston Villa fan he was when he was growing up by recalling some of the highlights from one of their most successful periods in recent history, and admitting that he can still name all of the players used during their title-winning campaign in 1981.
The Bees boss’ father was a steward at Villa Park, and he explained to the Express and Star that he often asked to come along to help the clean the seats in an attempt to land free tickets.
And ahead of Brentford’s trip to face Roberto Di Matteo’s side on Wednesday, Smith recalled some of his favourite moments from supporting Villa as a youngster.
“It became a really top period in Villa’s history when I started following them,” he told the Express and Star. “In 1977 they won the League Cup with the famous goal from Chris Nicholl, that he keeps reminding me about.
“Then there was the season in ’81 when they won the league and used only 14 players which will never be done again. I can still name all 14!
Villa’s Gary Shaw , Tony Morley and Peter Withe celebrate winning the European Cup in 1982
“The year after winning the European Cup they won the European Super Cup by beating Barcelona. I remember Sid Cowans getting volleyed into the net! There was a penalty that was saved and he scored the rebound. Their ‘keeper volleyed him into the net.”
Despite his previous allegiances, Smith will be hoping that he can capitalise on Villa’s fall from grace when they meet on Wednesday.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo
Following their 2-0 victory over Brighton at the weekend, Brentford sit eighth in the Championship, just two points adrift of the automatic promotion spots.
And they would actually be looking to leapfrog their midweek opponents if the Villans had not dropped so many points due to late goals this season. Four strikes in the last 10 minutes of games this term – including Henri Lansbury’s equaliser for Nottingham Forest on Sunday – has seen Di Matteo’s men drop five points.
And while he will know that a late goal that sees Villa drop more points will make him incredibly unpopular with his boyhood club, it is likely that Smith will not care too much as long as it means Brentford continue their promising start to the new campaign.
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