Tammy Abraham’s goal gives Aston Villa’s Dean Smith the perfect start by @News Sport 24/7 - Post Details

Tammy Abraham’s goal gives Aston Villa’s Dean Smith the perfect start

The Observer Championship  It was not without a jittery finish but for Dean Smith, a boyhood Aston Villa supporter, this was an occasion worth waiting for. In the end, a first-half header by Tammy Abraham, relegated with Swansea City last season, proved the difference as Smith celebrated victory in his first game in charge and Villa their first win in five matches, reinvigorating the promotion push their fans so crave.  Not so long ago, the former Brentford manager was one of them. Smith’s father, Ron, would show Sir Doug Ellis to his seat during 25 years working as a steward here, while he and his brother, Dave, would wipe clean the terraces in exchange for a pie and passage into the Holte End. Football League: Leeds continue to slip, Macclesfield avoid unwanted history Read more  Smith may have grown up in Great Barr, four miles from this rocking stadium, but he knew he would be afforded no honeymoon period. A charged Villa Park was packed as almost 42,000 supporters, the fourth-biggest crowd in the country on Saturday, welcomed a new era and said farewell to Ellis, the club’s former chairman who died this month.  Before the almighty roar that met Smith as he walked out of the tunnel for the first time, the club marked the life president’s death with a stirring minute’s applause as flags on the stand renamed after him flew at half-mast. There was a deafening chorus of the home faithful’s adaptation of Ghost Riders in the Sky, as a teary-eyed and suited Smith received a hero’s welcome.  “It’s great to give them the first win, we want to try to get the bums off the seats here,” Smith said. “We are grateful for them all turning up in their numbers and it just shows what can happen at this club. It’s always a good start when you get three points.”  Abraham relished his role as the focal point of a three-pronged Villa attack, with the striker ably flanked by two wingmen in Albert Adomah and Ahmed Elmohamady. Swansea struggled to contain a revved-up Villa and on eight minutes, when Elmohamady stood up an inviting cross, Abraham clambered highest to nod home his third goal in as many games. Smith swivelled in the dugout, fist pumping towards the Trinity Road stand where his dad once worked.  A dream start almost got better too but neither James Chester nor Alan Hutton could connect with a low, teasing Jack Grealish free-kick. Swansea succumbed to what their manager, Graham Potter, described as a challenging environment for his young side, yet Villa were in the mood, John McGinn boisterous in midfield and Elmohamady enjoying a free rein.  They did not have it all their own way, though. Swansea should have restored parity when Connor Roberts galloped down the right before cutting back for Jay Fulton but the midfielder’s effort lacked conviction and Barrie McKay was too sluggish in his attempt to sweep home the rebound.  Villa had lost their vim until Abraham came alive in the box on the hour mark, smacking an effort goalwards only for Kristoff

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