The Brentford manager is many Aston Villa fans’ preferred Bruce alternative.
Former Aston Villa midfielder Kevin Gage has backed calls for Brentford’s Dean Smith to replace Steve Bruce at Villa Park.
A number of Villa fans have called for a change to be made in the wake of Saturday’s play-off final defeat against Fulham, with Smith a popular choice.
A lifelong Aston Villa supporter himself, the 47-year-old has led the Bees to three successive top-half finishes despite working with a modest budget and constant high turnover of players – experiences that could serve him well in Bruce’s position.
And although he clarified he has ‘nothing against’ the current Villa manager, Gage could not help but agree with one tweeter after he stated Smith’s case.
Gage spent four years at Aston Villa after joining from Wimbledon in 1987.
A second-tier side then too, Villa were promoted as runners-up in the Londoner’s first season at Villa Park.
He later played for Sheffield United, Preston North End and Hull City before retiring in 1999.
Is Brentford’s Dean Smith the man to replace Steve Bruce at Aston Villa?
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