Dean Smith is fighting for his future as Aston Villa manager with the club battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
talkSPORT understands Smith needs a positive result in this weekend’s fixture against Chelsea.
Listen to live commentary of Saturday’s match exclusively on talkSPORT, kick-off at 5.30pm, as part of our GameDay coverage.
Villa are second from bottom in the Premier League and two points off safety but have a game in hand over all their relegation rivals.
Smith’s side were promoted from the Championship last season via the play-offs but have struggled to adapt to life in the top flight.
They have lost each of their past four league games, including a 4-0 thrashing by Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Monday.
Aston Villa’s Premier League run-in
- Chelsea (h) – March 14
- Newcastle (a) – Postponed due to FA Cup
- Wolves (h) – April 4
- Liverpool (a) – April 12
- Man United (h) – April 19
- Crystal Palace (h) – April 27
- Everton (a) – May 2
- Arsenal (h) – May 9
- West Ham (a) – May 17
Conceding goals continues to be the problem for Smith’s side with 56 let in from 28 games, the worst record in the Premier League.
Their run-in is also looking tough with games against Newcastle, Wolves, Liverpool, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Everton, Arsenal and West Ham still to play after Saturday’s clash vs Chelsea.
Smith took charge of his boyhood club in November 2018 and led them to a dream return to the Premier League.
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He also guided them to the Carabao Cup final earlier this month where they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Man City.
It is the league form that has caused great concern for Villa chiefs, particularly their dismal run of recent results that has seen them lose to relegation rivals Bournemouth and Southampton.
