Ron Smith dead aged 79: Aston Villa lead tributes to boss Dean’s late father

ASTON VILLA have led tributes to manager Dean Smith’s dad Ron after the lifelong fan died aged 79, four weeks after contracting coronavirus.

Ron also had dementia and was in a care home until being taken to hospital recently with Covid-19.

He always dreamed his son would manage in the Premier League – which the 49-year-old achieved when  taking Villa back to the top flight last season.

Villa posted on Wednesday night: “A lifelong supporter, Ron was a steward for many years and passed on his love for the club down to his children.

“As well as being a regular at home games, Ron was also there to witness that greatest of days in May 1982 when Villa lifted the European Cup in Rotterdam (beating Bayern Munich 1-0).”

Fans posted their own touching messages, including a video clip of Dean talking poignantly about visiting his dad while the Midlanders were battling to clinch that promotion.

Ron’s dementia meant he was not really aware of Dean being Villa boss.

And Smith Junior said in the clip: “He opened his eyes for about two minutes’ maximum, I think.

“And during that two minutes I told him next time I see you I’ll be a Premier League manager and I got a smile, if not anything more, and hopefully there was an understanding.

“It’s a terrible illness and everyone who knows someone who has suffered from it know it’s tough to deal with it.”

Dean also revealed, before Villa’s 2-1 Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City in February this year, that love for their families should inspire their performances.

He stressed “playing for your family because they are the important people in your lives who you want to send home happy”.

And in that same interview he said his dad was unlikely to see the trophy should Villa have gone on to win it.

Dean explained: “I don’t think I’d get much out of him. I’m not sure I’ve seen his eyes open for the last month or two.

“It is what it is. Dementia is a tough illness. He’s suffering.”

One supporter tweeted a photo of Dean celebrating promotion last May and added: “RIP Ron. Think his son has made him so proud with this. Holte enders in the sky .”