The top contenders to step into the Aston Villa dugout

Dean Smith’s time at Aston Villa has come to an end and attention has turned to who will replace him.

The 50-year-old was dismissed by the club on Sunday after five straight defeats, with the ambitious Villans looking to improve on their current position of 16th in the Premier League. 

With the managerial merry-go-round in full swing, we pick out six contenders who could take the Villa Park hotseat.

Steven Gerrard

The early favourite, Steven Gerrard could finally make his seemingly inevitable move to managing in the English top flight. 

With Jurgen Klopp unlikely to leave Liverpool any time soon, the Villa job may well tempt the Rangers boss to move south of the border.

The former Reds midfielder has enjoyed success in his short managerial career, securing the Gers’ first Scottish Premiership title in 10 years last season.

Villa chief executive Christian Purslow — who used to be Liverpool’s managing director — is said to have a good relationship with Gerrard and previously talked him up prior to him getting the Rangers job.

The 41-year-old has dealt with a high-pressure environment at Ibrox and would likely face more of the same should he take over in the Midlands.

John Terry

John Terry’s previous experience with Villa has made him a firm contender to take over from former boss Smith.

The Chelsea legend ended his playing career with the Villans before going on to work as Smith’s assistant for three seasons.

Terry left Villa over the summer, citing his desire to secure a management role himself.

Taking over at a place he knows well and where he is already a popular figure could be the ideal choice for him.

But with no previous managerial experience, it remains to be seen whether it is Villa’s best option.

Roberto Martinez

After five years in charge of the Belgium national team, Roberto Martinez may feel it is time for a move back to club football.

The Spaniard established the Red Devils as the No1-ranked national side in the world but has failed to deliver silverware with his talented group.

Martinez kept Wigan in the Premier League for three seasons and guided them to an unlikely FA Cup win.

He also enjoyed success with Everton after leading them to fifth in his first season, though that spell ultimately ended with his sacking.

Having not managed in the Premier League since that Toffees reign in 2016, it would certainly be a risky appointment.

Paulo Fonseca

A man previously linked with the Tottenham and Newcastle jobs, Paulo Fonseca is again high up the list of candidates mentioned.

The Portuguese boss left Roma over the summer and is thought to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

He was known for playing attacking football during his time at the Serie A side as well as during stints at Porto, Braga and Shakhtar Donetsk.

That is likely to be in the remit of anyone Villa bring in as they look to break into the top half of the Premier League.

With Villa having assembled a good squad with plenty of attacking players, Fonseca could be as good a match as any to get the best out of them.

Ralph Hasenhuttl

A 1-0 victory for Southampton on Friday proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Smith at Villa — and now Ralph Hasenhuttl could be the man to replace him.

Aside from some unconvincing spells and two 9-0 defeats, the Austrian has had the Saints punching well above their weight for much of his tenure.

With Villa likely to back their new man financially, Hasenhuttl may be tempted to see what he can do with a stronger squad.

His previous success with striker Danny Ings also makes him an attractive option.

With Hasenhuttl contracted at St Mary’s until 2024, the Birmingham outfit will have to pay Southampton plenty of compensation should they decide he is their man.

Kasper Hjulmand

Another who is well known to the Villa hierarchy, Kasper Hjulmand’s friendship with fellow Dane and sporting director Johan Lange has seen him named as an outside contender.

With no previous experience in English football, the Denmark manager would certainly be a left-field choice.

The 49-year-old was at the heart of his country's fairytale run to the Euro 2020 semi-finals over the summer.

Hjulmand had the side playing an attractive brand of football which could fit in well with the philosophy Villa are trying to instill.

He is a popular figure in Denmark though and seems unlikely to leave his current job with the 2022 World Cup just over a year away.