Dean Smith hasn't enjoyed the sort of start he would have liked at Aston Villa, with a string of decidedly average results dogging their progress.

He's urged fans to get behind the team and addressed the tense atmosphere at Villa Park recently. It could be seen as a rallying cry, but from an Aston Villa fans' point of view, it might be a bit much to ask right now.

Supporting a football team is a labour of love. It's hard for a team to ever truly meet fans' expectations and only once in an era do they sweep everyone aside and win the league. Some fans will never be happy, lamenting missed chances in a 4-0 win, whilst others will be eternally positive, finding something to praise in a 0-0 draw.

At Villa, even the happiest souls have had their dedication tested this season. When you talk about ups and downs, Villa have had more in twelve months than most clubs get in a decade.

There's been financial troubles, then the takeover. There's been a manager sacked and a popular appointment come in. There's been big signings, but still no clear way forward.

That's why it'll be hard right now for those Villa fans to remain positive. This is the third season in which they've aspired to a Premier League return, but it is likely to be the third season they've ended up disappointed and demoralised.

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That isn't Smith's fault, he inherited a team that was disjointed and threadbare in some areas. That can't be put right inside a couple of months, but do fans see it that way?

Right now, they're watching on as their local rivals beat them 2-0 at Villa Park, as they lose ground on the top six and look likely to have to have a fourth, parachute payment free, season in the Championship. They're scared for the future and only have recent evidence on which to judge Smith and his players.

They'll be finding it hard to remain positive now, but it could be far worse. If they need perspective, real perspective, then perhaps Sunderland and Stoke City can give them an indication of much worse it could be.