Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has hailed Dean Smith as an ‘inspirational manager’ to all young British managers. Smith has worked his way up from coaching in the Walsall Academy, to their first team and then onto Brentford and Aston Villa.

Smith, a boyhood Villa supporter, then guided the five times winners of the League Cup back into the top flight at his first attempt last summer.

Artell says that managers like Smith provide hope for all British managers that they can get a shot at making the Premier League.

Talking of the achievement of Smith, Artell told the club’s official website: “Aston Villa have a fantastic British manager in Dean Smith. I think he has done a terrific job and he deserves his crack at the Premier League.

“It is important for our game that British managers get that chance and Dean has worked his way up the ladder. He is an inspiration to us all.

The boss added: “He gives up hope that you lead team to promotion and in the future have a good career in the game. It must be a great feeling for him and I really do wish him and his club all the best, but only after tonight!”