Dean Smith has made his first big move as Aston Villa manager by ditching the traditional role of a club captain, report the Birmingham Mail. 

The former Brentford boss will instead install 'leadership groups' and rotate the club captaincy on a game-by-game basis, a system he used at his former club this season.

"Sometimes by naming a captain you end up missing people who can take responsibility and have leadership qualities you don’t tap into," Smith said.

"You have your captain and end up speaking to him and trying to relate to players.

“I don’t want a team of players. I want a team that are all leaders."

James Chester is the current Villa club captain, taking over the reigns from John Terry last season, but there have been questions asked of his leadership so far this campaign.

Smith was named as the club's new boss after Steve Bruce was sacked following a 3-3 home draw with Preston North End.

A further loss to Millwall last weekend under youth coach Kevin MacDonald's guidance meant the club slumped to 15th place in the Championship table.

Hopes are high that lifelong Villa fan Smith, along with Terry on his coaching staff, will be able to turn the season around.

The verdict 

This seems like a very good idea from Smith.

It makes perfect sense with Chester receiving a fair bit of criticism to take the pressure off of him and give a natural leader within the squad a chance to emerge.

The role Terry played in leading the rest of the players last season cannot be underestimated and is something they really need to rediscover now.