'It's a shame' - Nigerian-born ex-Man City defender reacts to Aston Villa's sacking of Dean Smith

Aston Villa's patience with Dean Smith has finally run out, with the Premier League club confirming on Sunday afternoon that they have parted company with the English football tactician.

The defeat to Southampton on Friday, their fifth consecutive loss in the division, proved to be the final straw.

Smith took over as Aston Villa coach in October 2018 and led the club back to the Premier League via the playoffs in his first season in charge.

Nigerian-born former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has appreciated the work done by Smith at Aston Villa but pointed out that a poor run of results led to his inevitable sacking as coach of the Lions.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Onuoha said : "Villa's standards have gotten higher. Losing five games in a row, they're sinking like a stone and that shouldn't be happening for a team that was aiming as high as they were, so I get it.

"This is the last chance before the international break and that gives them two weeks to appoint someone new, the time wouldn't be right later in the season.

"Dean Smith has taken them so far, so it's a shame, but as far as results go they haven't been good enough. "

Prior to his dismissal, Dean Smith handed Nigeria-eligible youngsters Carney and Caleb Chukwuemeka their senior debuts at Aston Villa.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel