Dean Smith offers verdict on Steve Bruce, shares whether they’ve spoken since Villa move

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Dean Smith has replaced Steve Bruce as Aston Villa manager.

Aston Villa appointed their new manager last week as Dean Smith made the move from Brentford to Villa Park, replacing Steve Bruce.

Villa sacked Bruce after a run of just one win in nine Championship games, with his two-year reign coming to an end after Villa threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 at home with Preston North End.

Whilst the managerial hunt only took a week, it was full of twists and turns, as Thierry Henry and then Rui Faria looked to be closing in on the job, before bowing out of the race.

Brentford boss Smith then landed the job, fulfilling a boyhood dream having grown up supporting Villa, with fans delighted to see a ‘Villa man’ land the job.

Fans were frustrated with Bruce’s negative brand of football, but Smith has often pushed an attractive brand of attacking football in charge of Brentford and also former club Walsall.

Smith inherits a Villa side sitting 15^th in the Championship table, four points off the play-offs and nine points away from an automatic promotion spot, with the season far from dead.

Fans will be looking for a major improvement under Smith, and he has now discussed his verdict on Bruce after being presented as Villa’s new boss on Monday.

Smith has told the Birmingham Mail that he thinks Bruce was unlucky not to take Villa into the Premier League last season, and revealed that he hasn’t yet spoken to Bruce about taking his role, adding that he wants to let the dust settle first.

“I have not spoken to him,” said Smith. “I have let the dust settle. I was really disappointed for Steve because I know him. He is a really good person, a top person. He was very, very close to taking this club to the Premier League last year. It was an exceptional season from Wolves and everyone expected Cardiff to fall away but they didn’t. Neil Warnock did a fantastic job. Fulham, the run they went on was incredible.”

“Normally 84 points would see you there. To come up against a Fulham team like they did was disappointing. I am disappointed for all of them. Unfortunately that is part of the game and another reason I am sat here. I wish them well,” he added.