Aston Villa have been extremely busy in the transfer market already, and Dean Smith now wants to add to his coaching ranks.

According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, Smith is looking to strengthen his backroom team this summer with a specialist set-piece coach.

And, as to be expected, a number of Villa supporters have been reacting to Percy’s claim on social media.

Villa are aiming to sign set-piece specialist James Ward-Prowse from Southampton prior to the start of pre-season, so should a move materialise for the Saints midfielder, he could end up benefiting from a set-piece coach.

Smith’s side scored 20% of their goals last season from set-pieces, but it seems as if he wants to improve on that going forward and perhaps defending them as well.

It’s not the first time the Villa manager has looked at a set-piece coach during his tenure at Villa Park. Back in 2018, Smith was considering one after seeing the benefits at former side Brentford.

Villa fans react

@villareport shared the news on Smith’s backroom staff plans on Twitter on Tuesday evening. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many sharing their positive thoughts.

"We sign who we want we're Aston Villa we sign who we want Deano is the best"
Credit: @1998_David_
"Finally man"
Credit: @will_avfc
"More excited about this than any player, our set pieces are absolutely dire"
Credit: @mickylyons1
"This would be signing of the summer."
Credit: @sammmsmith_
"About time. Seems crazy to me that pretty much all teams don't already have a specialist set-piece coach given how important they are..."
Credit: @sportdw
"Would be all over this, we all know it’s an area of our game we could improve on. Can win you points if you get it right"
Credit: @Reece_AV

In other news: 'Crown us champions', 'Massive' - Many AVFC fans erupt at 'tasty' Percy claim, find out more here.