MORLEY: VILLAN DEAN A DREAM APPOINTMENT

ASTON VILLA legend Tony Morley believes Dean Smith is the perfect pick to bring back the good times to the Midlands club. Although disappointed to see Steve Bruce sacked two weeks ago, Morley is delighted Villa have appointed ex-Brentford boss Smith, 47, as his replacement. Forget the hype surrounding the possibility of Thierry Henry and John Terry forming a superstar rookie partnership in the dugout.

According to 1982 European Cup winner Morley, the club hierarchy were right to swerve that glamour duo in favour of naming Smith their new head coach with ex-Chelsea ace Terry, 37, as assistant. Morley knows Smith well and is adamant that the fact he is a lifelong Villan makes him the ideal choice.

Morley said: “I thought Bruce was unlucky. But for a missed penalty in his last game Villa would have been fifth.

“But in Dean Smith they have the best man possible. It is an excellent appointment. He’ll do a great job.

“He loves Villa and knows exactly what the club means to the fans – because he’s one of them. Even as Brentford boss he would still come to watch Villa when he could.

“He’ll feel extra pressure because of that. But he is a top bloke and has shown at Brentford that his teams play great football.”

As for the supporter who threw a cabbage at Bruce during his final game in charge, Morley, 64, said: “I really hope they find the person who did it and ban him from Villa Park for life. It was ridiculous.”