The Brentford boss grew up supporting the Villans.
Brentford manager Dean Smith has warned Aston Villa their Premier League hangover could continue for a while yet, via Get West London.
The Villans fell out of the top flight for the first time in 29 years in May and have won just one of their six Championship matches so far.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side welcome Smith’s Bees to Villa Park on Wednesday and the 45-year-old from West Bromwich, who grew up a Villa fan, hopes now is a good time to play them.
“It’ll take a while for them,” he said, as quoted by Get West London. “The Aston Villa supporters expect to get back to the Premier League.
“They had a terrible season by their standards and they’ve had a big turnaround. I’m not sure they’re back yet.
“They’ve won one out of six. Hopefully it’s the right time to meet them but they did enough to beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday.”
Villa spent close to £60 million transforming their squad following last season’s relegation, with nine new players signed during the summer transfer window.
Yet the Villans find themselves 18th in the standings and nine points behind fellow demoted side Newcastle United, who also underwent a pre-season overhaul.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Villa will receive £40 million in parachute payments this season. However, that figure reduces to £33 million and £14 million, should they remain in the second tier for the next two campaigns.
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