Dean Smith doesn’t think he needs to deviate from his philosophy to provide success at Aston Villa.

The Championship club have two wins in their last 14 games and are nine points off the play-off places.

A defeat against Stoke this weekend could effectivity end their hopes of a top-six place as they have played more games than the teams around them.

Smith has been criticised for the first time since arriving in October to succeed Steve Bruce with the club’s poor form, moving them further and further away from their aim of a play-off place.

A win could reignite their faint hopes of challenging for a top-six place with the manager admitting he has been given advice from any and all on how to turn the club’s fortunes around.

But having had success at Walsall and Brentford before the move to his boyhood club, Smith expressed that he is going to stick to what he knows as he looks to reverse Villa’s current fortunes.

Is that the best course of action for the Villa boss to take?

We asked our team of FLW writers their thoughts on Smith sticking to his guns despite their current run of bad form.

Here’s what they had to say on the matter.

Jay Taylor

“Smith knows he has time and will continue to need that to get his style across fully.

“It has taken longer than had expected, especially after a decent start.

“But when a manager is trying to make changes, it takes more than just a few months, and a few transfer windows.

“I am confident Smith will eventually get it right – just not this season.”

Gary Hutchinson

“Of course.

“His beliefs are chance creation and passing football - it worked at Brentford.

“If he changes his philosophy it shows weakness, a lack of belief in himself.

“He’s been good enough before; he can be again.”

George Dagless

“Absolutely.

“If he gives up on his principles then he isn't the manager Villa wanted him to be.

“The appointed him because of his playing style, give him this summer and a chance to sign players he wants and I'm sure results will begin to turn around.”

Jacob Potter

“Seriously? He's having a laugh.

“He needs to change this Villa side up to see an improvement in results, and he's deluded if he's remaining unfazed by this poor run of form.

“If they don't reach the top six this season, then serious questions will be asked about his future at Villa Park.”