Dean Smith appointed: Aston Villa's promotion chances with the bookies
Aston Villa's odds for promotion have been listed at 5/1 following the appointment of Dean Smith as head coach.
Smith was named Villa boss last night, whilst John Terry was also named assistant coach - and bookmakers have tweaked their odds on the Villans securing promotion to the Premier League.
Villa famously saw their odds for relegation slashed dramatically during the financial crisis which hit the club over the summer, but following investment from new majority owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens those fears quickly subsided.
Yet, with Steve Bruce being sacked last week and Villa dropping to 15th in the Championship table, Smith was the man chosen to help get the club back on track and fighting for promotion this term.
Villa are now 25/1 to win the Championship title, 12/1 to finish in the top two and 2/1 to finish in the play-off spots. They are now also 2/7 to finish ahead of bitter rivals Birmingham City, who sit two places below them in the table.
West Brom are 9/2 favourites to win the title, ahead of Middlesbrough, Leeds, Sheffield United, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Stoke. Albion are 4/5 to secure promotion and 2/9 to finish in the play-off spots.
Smith had guided previous club Brentford into promotion contention this season, and his attractive style of play also drew plaudits from across the division.
bet365’s Steve Freeth admitted that the appointment will be a popular decision amongst supporters:
“Smith knows the area, he supported the club as a boy and it’s bound to be a popular appointment." he said.
“The Holte End will be singing his name even louder if he guides them to victory over Blues next month.”
