Struggling Aston Villa sack manager Dean Smith

Aston Villa relieved manager Dean Smith of his duties, the Premier League club announced Sunday.

"This year we have not seen the continuous improvement in results, performances, and league position which we have all been looking for," Aston Villa CEO Christian Purslow said. "For this reason, we have decided to make a change now to allow time for a new head coach to make an impact."

News of Smith's dismissal comes after Villa fell to Southampton on Saturday, the club's fifth straight Premier League defeat.

The Claret and Blue sit 17th in the Premier League table with 10 points from 11 games.

Smith took charge of Aston Villa in October 2018 and oversaw the club's successful bid to win promotion back up to the Premier League.

Villa narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing in 17th place and one point above the drop zone before losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

The 50-year-old English manager is the second Premier League coach to lose his job this weekend after Norwich City dismissed Daniel Farke on Saturday.

Aston Villa have already begun the process of finding Dean's successor. The club's next game is on Nov. 20 after the international break.