Aston Villa sack manager Dean Smith

The boyhood Villa fan has been sacked for the first time in his managerial career. Credit: PA Images

Aston Villa have sacked manager Dean Smith after a run of five league defeats in a row.

In a statement, CEO Christian Purslow said: "This year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances and league position which we have all been looking for.

"For this reason we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact.

The club added the process of finding a new manager is underway.

Villa were promoted to the Premier League under Smith in 2019. Credit: PA Images

Smith joined Villa in October 2018 and led the Club back to the Premier League in his first season in charge.The following season, he kept them in the top flight while also leading the team out at the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley, losing 2-1 to Manchester City.

It's the first time in the boyhood Villa fan's career that he has ever been sacked.