Aston Villa legend Nigel Spink insists that Dean Smith needs time to get things right at the club after a tough recent run.

The ex-Brentford boss made an instant impact after replacing Steve Bruce in October, however, Villa have now just won two of their last 13 games.

That has caused some to start questioning Smith, with a top six finish now looking like a tall order.

However, European Cup winner Spink told the Express & Star that patience is needed to allow Smith to make the necessary changes to the club:

"I think Dean is the right man long-term and I think the majority of the fans think that. Football is not the game it once was and patience runs out quickly. But they have to stick at it, this is not something which is going to be put right overnight."

He also called for some realism on the current situation and feels that the summer is the perfect time for Villa to start fresh:

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"Perhaps there also needs to be an acceptance they are now a Championship club. They’ve got an opportunity, at the end of this season, to sort out the playing squad, bring in fresh faces and start taking the club forward."

Villa head to Stoke this weekend trailing the top six by nine points.

The Verdict

This is a very fair assessment from Spink who realises the challenge that Smith has at Villa right now.

The fantastic start he enjoyed perhaps raised expectations and masked some of the clear problems that the team have.

So, whilst they need to fight for the play-offs, it's looking highly likely they will be in the Championship next season and Smith needs the summer to put his mark on the club.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.