Dean: Villa STILL half a billion off top six!

DEAN Smith believes Villa are still playing catch-up from relegation to the Championship in 2016.

- By BRIAN DICK

The former Villa boss, who ended the club's three-year stay in the second tier, is currently in charge at MLS outfit Charlotte, with whom he has tied a record with nine consecutive wins.

However, all things claret and blue have remained close to his heart and the 54-year-old has been having his say on the club's finances and goal drought.

Indeed, the two issues could be intertwined. Villa had a quiet transfer window, with Evann Guessand their biggest purchase, a £30 million signing from Nice.

They picked up Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho on loan on deadline day and signed free agent, defender Victor Lindelof, but so far things are yet to click for Unai Emery.

Villa are the only team in the top four divisions yet to find the back of the net in the league.