West Bromwich Albion reportedly considered hiring Dean Smith, a few months before he arrived at Championship neighbours Aston Villa
It’s a testament to the massive improvements Dean Smith has made since being appointed Aston Villa that his side will head to The Hawthorns on Friday perhaps as slight favourites.
Villa have been on fire in the last few weeks, beating Derby, Birmingham and Middlesbrough in their last three games by an overall score of 10-2.
With Midland rivals West Brom holding one of the Championship’s poorest defensive records, Tammy Abraham, Yannick Bolasie and co should be full of confidence making the six and a half mile journey North West.
And it is worth wondering where Aston Villa would be right now if Smith had joined West Brom instead of replacing Steve Bruce in the second city.
According to the Birmingham Mail, the 47-year-old was actually very close to replacing Alan Pardew in The Baggies’ dugout back in May. It is understood that Smith was approached for an interview and eventually included on a two-man shortlist – only to be pipped to the post by the former caretaker boss Darren Moore.
The Mail adds that West Brom’s chief executive Mark Jenkins was a big fan of Smith and felt he would be an excellent fit.
Aston Villa fans should be counting their lucky stars than that the former Brentford and Walsall boss is not working a few miles down the road.
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