Aston Villa have recently sacked Dean Smith after a series of poor performances in the Premier League and the Premier League club are now looking to bring in a replacement soon.
According to Rob Dorsett from Sky Sports, Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez and Rangers manager Steven Gerrard are on the shortlist to replace Smith.
– Roberto Martinez and Steven Gerrard on #avfc shortlist of poss candidates to replace Dean Smith
– Villa expected to speak to at least 5 or 6 managers (or their reps) as they narrow down their search
– Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand an outside chance, but one Villa will speak to— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) November 8, 2021
Smith helped Aston Villa to an 11th placed finish last season and the Premier League club strengthened their squad heavily during the summer transfer window.
Villa were expected to challenge for the European places this season instead they find themselves 16th in the league table with just three wins from 11 league matches.
It is evident that Smith was struggling to get the best out of his summer signings and the club hierarchy needed to act quickly in order to arrest the decline.
It will be interesting to see if the likes of Martinez and Gerrard can turn things around quickly once the appointment is confirmed.
Despite not managing to win an international trophy with Belgium, Martinez has done reasonably well with them and he has coached in the Premier League before with the likes of Wigan Athletic and Everton.
Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard helped Rangers win the Scottish League title last season and his side are in a good position to defend their domestic crown this season as well. The Ibrox outfit have done well in the European competitions under Gerrard’s management as well and the former England international midfielder knows the Premier League well from his time as a player at Liverpool.
A club of Aston Villa stature should be aiming for a top-half finish at the very least and it remains to be seen whether the club hierarchy can bring in a proper replacement and salvage this season.
Here are the current odds-on favourites to replace Dean Smith at Aston Villa
