Despite a very promising transfer window back in the summer of 2016, Aston Villa went on to make a disastrous start to life in the Championship which saw manager at the time Roberto Di Matteo sacked.
With the Italian given the boot out of Villa Park, the Midlands club decided to turn to Steve Bruce in a managerial move that was backed by many supporters.
GET IN
— Kieran Marks (@KieranMarksYT) 12 October 2016
The first right managerial appointment since Martin O'Neill! Well done @Dr_TonyXia
— Paul Thomas (@djpaulthomas) October 12, 2016
excellent appointment!! #utv
— Burntwood Villan (@kpvilla) 12 October 2016
thank you, good appointment!!
— Josh Sweeney (@JksweeneyAvfc) October 12, 2016
time for people to back him, regardless of past. If we support Bruce and co. we can help them get the club back to PL! #avfc
— Chrismo (@Chrsmo) October 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/Theotopia/status/786258490876649472
@Dr_TonyXia great appointment Dr Tony. #vtid #utv
— Scott Rogers (@scoroguk) October 12, 2016
Two years later, however, Bruce would suffer the same fate as his predecessor following a 3-3 draw against a very poor Preston side.
And the decision to part ways with the 57-year-old is one the club had to make.
While Bruce was able to steer Aston Villa all the way to the Championship play-off final in his first and only full season at Villa Park, the former Hull City manager has still largely underperformed during his tenure.
With the likes of Yannick Bolasie, Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish at disposal — players who are of Premier League quality — the Villans should not have dropped as many points as they have at this point of the season.
Additionally, the brand of football seen under Bruce — against the stronger sides in the Championship in particular — has been far from entertaining.
In the end, the ex-Birmingham City head coach had to go and Aston Villa supporters will now be hoping Dean Smith can deliver an attractive style on the pitch as well as results.
