Stoke midfielder Charlie Adam has revealed that he felt that two former Premier League managers would have been a better option for Aston Villa this season, after Dean Smith was appointed as the new Villa boss on Wednesday.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live shortly before Smith's appointment at the Championship club, Adam felt that both David Moyes and Sam Allardyce would have been better suited to the role at Villa Park.

"For me, if I'm on the outside, I'm going for the quick fix now," Adam said, shortly before Villa announced Smith. "The quick fix is your usual suspects. Yes, Smith is going to have a chance because he gets his sides playing good football.

"But Sam (Allardyce), David Moyes; they're going to get linked. They are probably Villa's best options if they want that quick fix now and to get back into the Premier League."

Moyes has been out of work since an unsuccessful spell at West Ham ended in May 2017 and will be keen to find his feet in England again after a number of difficult spells at various clubs, most notably, Manchester United.

Allardyce has been available since he left his job as manager of Everton at the end of last season. The 63-year-old has previously revealed that he would speak to Villa, should they want to offer him the job as manager of the club.

Smith will be looking to get off to the perfect start as his side take on Swansea City in front of what is likely to be a capacity crowd at Villa Park as fans eagerly await the appearance of their new boss.

The verdict

I can see where Adam is coming from with his comments about appointing a 'bigger name' at Villa Park.

However, Dean Smith certainly has the capability to guide Aston Villa into the play-off positions, having previously done so at his former club Brentford.

He will have a tough job on his hands though, as Villa are definitely struggling this season and are 15th in the table with no wins in their last four matches so Smith will be hoping to have an instant positive impact at the club.