Report: Aston Villa considred Benfica B’s Bruno Lage before Smith deal

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Aston Villa were reportedly keen on Benfica B’s Bruno Lage.

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa were seeking talks with Benfica B manager Bruno Lage before appointing Dean Smith as their new manager.

Villa sacked Steve Bruce last week after just one win in nine games, and appointed Brentford boss Dean Smith tonight after a swift move for the Bees manager.

It has been a tale of twists and turns for Villa over the last week, as Thierry Henry turned down the job earlier this week in favour of pursuing the Monaco post, whilst Rui Faria rejected the job today.

Villa then moved for Smith and have landed their man, and The Telegraph report that he essentially pipped Portuguese coach Bruno Lage to the job.

It’s claimed that Villa wanted talks with Benfica B boss Lage about taking the job, but ended up going for Smith in a rapid turnaround for Villa today.

Lage, 42, was an assistant of Carlos Carvalhal at Swansea City last season, as well as with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship before returning to Portugal this summer, making him the second Portuguese ex-Premier League assistant to be targeted after Faria.

Now in charge of Benfica B, Lage looks set for a promising future in coaching, but Villa seemingly didn’t want to wait around any longer and plumped for Smith tonight.