DEAN SMITH is reportedly on the brink of losing his Aston Villa as relegation fears mount ahead Saturday’s crunch clash with Chelsea.
His position is under huge scrutiny after a run of ten defeats in 15 matches left chiefs fearing an immediate return to the Championship.
Despite splashing out a whopping £135million over the last two transfer windows since promotion, the Villans are two points adrift of safety with just ten matches remaining.
And that has left the 44-year-old fighting for his future, according to The Telgraph.
Villa, who are pointless from their last four outings, host the in-form Blues and also have to face title-chasing Liverpool and Manchester United out of their next four top-flight games.
Smith took charge in November 2018 and guided his boyhood club to the Prem via the play-offs last season.
They reached Wembley again this term in the Carabao Cup Final, narrowly losing 2-1 to Manchester City earlier this month.
But league form has been a completely different story with his side conceding a league-worst of 56 goals – an average of two a game.
Although there is still time for the ex-Brentford boss to turn things around, the performances and dismal run of form is causing great concern for the Villa hierarchy.
Particularly their last two, with a poor 2-0 defeat at relegation rivals Southampton and Monday’s 4-0 drubbing at Leicester, have set alarm bells ringing.
Villa do not play again following the Chelsea showdown until April 4 when they host Wolves, and take break will allow Smith’s bosses to take stock of the situation.
Following the play-off win over Derby to seal promotion, the club’s co-owner Nassef Sawiris said: “The sky is the limit, with such a fanbase and such a great squad.
“Our ambition was not just to get promoted but to do well in the Premier League.”