Mills tells Aston Villa owners to get real after Smith source reveal
Danny Mills has claimed Aston Villa chiefs must be “realistic” when considering the future of manager Dean Smith.
The former Leeds defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Midlands club should be targeting a finish between ninth and 15th in the Premier League this term.
An Aston Villa source told this site last week (October 22nd) that Smith is under ‘huge’ pressure at Villa Park after losing to Arsenal last weekend.
Owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris are aiming for a top-six finish this season after spending big during the summer transfer window.
Aston Villa spent almost £90million during the summer window, completing moves for Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey.
Smith’s side have lost their last three Premier League games – including a derby day collapse against Wolves earlier this month.
Mills insisted Aston Villa are not “a million miles away” from the top half but urged decision-makers to stay realistic.
“Managers will always be under pressure, but they’re 13th in the league,” he told Football Insider.
“Realistically, where would you expect Villa to finish?
“They’re only one win away from the top half, it’s nine games in. They’re doing ok.
“They’ve had some disappointing results recently, but they’re not a million miles away from where they should be.
“I’d expect them to finish anywhere from ninth to 15th– and at the moment, they’re bang in the middle of that range.
“They have to be happy with that – they got rid of their best player.”
Jack Grealish departed Villa Park in the summer window for a reported British-record £100million fee.
Aston Villa’s next game sees them face West Ham on Sunday.
In other news, Newcastle United have set their sights on signing an Aston Villa star in January and £15million will seal the deal.