Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has outlined the approach he is to use at the club as he looks ahead to his first game in charge of his new side.

Smith will walk out at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon for the first time as the Villa's new boss as they take on Swansea City when the Championship resumes.

The league has been paused for two-weeks due to the most recent batch of international fixtures to be played out in the UEFA Nations League.

Speaking for the first time since his appointment, Smith has outlined the philosophy he will be looking to employ during his time at the club he used to support as a boy.

The former Brentford man wants to implement an attacking, intense style of play and believes he has the players to do just that.

In his first interview since his appointment, Smith told the official Aston Villa YouTube channel: “I want us to play at an intensity, and I believe we’ve got the players to go and do that. 

“It’s a fantastic squad, full of quality with great players at our disposal and firepower.

“Attacking football at Villa? Yes. 

“I like to break the game down. I want players that can go and create and score goals. It makes for entertaining football.”

The Verdict

This will be music to Aston Villa fans’ ears.

Under Steve Bruce, the football was mundane and barely watchable at times this season, and that was one of the overriding factors that lead to his departure.

With Smith coming out and nailing his colours to the mast right from the off, it is a positive move that should get the supporters on his side and excited as to what they are going to see from the new-look Villa side this weekend.

Patience is needed as it will not happen overnight but given time; Smith will hopefully get his new side playing like the Brentford team he has recently departed - that will be the hope of many of the club’s fans.