Smith ‘bitterly disappointed’ at Aston Villa after ‘huge’ source update – pundit
Noel Whelan has claimed Aston Villa boss Dean Smith will be “bitterly disappointed” at the way his side have started the campaign.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Claret and Blue players will have to “take responsibility” for the poor form as well as the 50-year-old manager.
An Aston Villa source told this site last week (October 24th) that Smith is under ‘huge’ pressure at Villa Park after losing to Arsenal.
Ambitious owners Wes Edens and Naseef Sawiris are aiming for a top-six finish this season after spending big during the summer window.
On Friday, Aston Villa slumped to their third consecutive league loss after suffering a 3-1 defeat away at Arsenal.
The Midlands club spent almost £90million during the summer window, completing big-money moves for Danny Ings, Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey.
Whelan insisted Villa have fallen well below expectations so far this season.
“Everyone expected more after the signings Aston Villa made,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“Emi Buendia and Danny Ings came in, and Ollie Watkins has come back from injury.
“Everyone was expecting them to be right up there in the table, probing into the top six.
“They’ve had two disappointing results and performances on the bounce now.
“Being two-nil up in a derby game and completely folding, then at the weekend they showed their frailties at the back.
“Smith will be gutted, bitterly disappointed at the way their season has started, especially as so many were excited by the prospect of them this season.
“Collectively the players have to take responsibility along with the manager.”
Aston Villa sit 13th in the league table after losing five from nine matches.
They face high-flying West Ham next.
In other news, Newcastle set sights on £15m Villa star.