The Dean Smith era at Villa Park has got off to a mixed start with the Villans down in 10th place in the Championship, nine points adrift of the final play-off spot despite Smith having had a transfer window to stamp his own mark on his squad.

Despite this poor run of form that has seen them collect two wins in 12 games, former club legend Nigel Spink has come out in support of Smith saying that the 47-year-old is paying the price for the mistakes of the past and told the Express & Star: “I think Dean is the right man long-term and I think the majority of the fans think that."

So is Spink right in his views regarding Smith?

We discuss.....

Louie Chandler

"Absolutely.

"If the Villa board brought him in expecting immediate change then they clearly do not have a clue.

"Smith did not build the team he did at Brentford overnight and patience is needed at Villa."

Jacob Potter

"They have to remain patient.

"Smith is proven in the Championship and needs to be given time to build the squad he feels will challenge for the Championship title.

"He’s in a re-building process, and that takes time.

"It would be a ludicrous decision to sack him so early into his time as manager of the club."

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Gary Hutchinson

“Of course he does.

“He can’t just go in and change everything in a couple of months.

“The club has fundamental squad issues to sort and needs a new direction.

“It takes time and patience. I hope he gets it.”

Alfie Burns

“He’s 100% right.

“Villa need to rebuild and put things on hold.

“Even if that means promotion is a few years away, they need to rid the club of its cancer.

“Only then can they start moving forward under Smith.

“He deserves the time.”

Jay Taylor

“It goes without saying, really.

“You can’t expect Smith to walk into the club and make wholesale changes and they all work in an instant.

“He has inherited Steve Bruce’s players and all that comes with that, so he needs time to implement his plans and make the club his own.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”