Smith sadness as drop is confirmed
DEAN SMITH insisted he will take full responsibility for his role in Norwich City’s relegation after their fate was sealed by defeat to Aston Villa.
The 51-year-old took charge of the Canaries in November after a poor start under Daniel Farke had left them five points adrift of safety.
He was subsequently unable to pull off the miracle of avoiding the drop – an outcome guaranteed by a loss at Villa Park and Burnley’s win at Watford – but did not shirk his share of the blame for a swift return to the Championship.
He said: “My reaction is obviously bitter disappointment.
“I think over the last four or five weeks there has been an
Aston Villa 2 Norwich 0
David Lynch inevitability about it. Unfortunately over the season our performances haven’t been good enough.
“We’ve lacked the quality that’s required in this league which, as we all know, is a very tough league.”
Ollie Watkins (left) fired
Villa ahead with a powerful shot just before the break and Danny Ings put the seal on victory with a turn and shot inside the box deep into injury time.
A VILLA: Martinez 6, Cash 6,
Chambers 7, Mings 6, Digne 7, Mcginn 7, Iroegbunam 6 (Luiz 73, 6), Ramsey 7, Bailey 6 (Ings 40, 7), Watkins 7, Coutinho 7 (Buendia 76, 7).
NORWICH: Krul 6, Aarons 5, Hanley 7, Byram 6, Williams 5, Normann 6, Gilmour 6, Dowell 6, Lees-melou 5 (Sargent 67, 6, Rupp 81, 6), Rashica 6 (Rowe 76, 6), Pukki 6.
MAN OF THE MATCH: OLLIE WATKINS – Constant threat throughout a scrappy game and took his goal excellently. REF: J Brooks ATT: 40,290