NOW MIND YOUR LANGUAGE, DAD

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith is under daughter’s orders not to turn the air claret and blue.

But Smith has not much to curse about right now with his Villa side on a four-match, perfect winning start.

A draw at Villa Park tonight would see them go top of the table for the first time since 2001.

But the 49-year-old says empty grounds and blanket TV coverage are making him ever more conscious of how he tries to get his point over.

And he revealed there is certainly no escaping at home if he does let his guard slip.

Smith said: “I am conscious of swearing and what I am shouting and saying because everything gets heard at the moment.

“I have been reminded of that by referee Martin Atkinson – but my daughter is there to remind me if she hears a word coming out of my mouth!

“When you can hear everything, it is an advantage. When I was a player, it was sometimes handy to cop a deaf ’un, but they can’t do that now. As a manager, you can get your thoughts over, so that’s good.”

That apart, there is not too much for the Villa boss to get hot and bothered about with his side proving to be the surprise package so far.

He is not getting carried away with Villa’s tremendous start, which included the shock 7-2 thrashing of champions Liverpool.

Smith (above) said: “Obviously, it means something because it proves you are doing well.

“But I have always been a big believer that after 38 games is when it matters. It is a tough league and, if you are off it at any stage, you get a bloody nose.

“I think our role always, as head coach or players, is to try to create history for the club.

“However that history may come, we’re in a results-based industry. We’ve had a good start and it’s the first time since 1930 that we’ve won the first four games.

“We were fortunate enough in the Championship to win 10 games on the spin for the first time in the club’s history and we won a play-off final for the first time in its history.

“We’ll look to continue making history and, if you do that, it means you’re having successful times.”

But Smith knows Leeds have more than enough to trip them.

He added: “I don’t see them struggling to stay up. They’ve kept their squad together and added some quality. I certainly expect them to win more than they lose.”