Aston Villa fans in tears at wholesome moment between Unai Emery and Dean Smith before West Ham clash

ASTON VILLA fans were left in tears after a wholesome moment between Unai Emery and Dean Smith.

The Villans thumped West Ham 4-1 at Villa Park this afternoon to go fifth in the table.

PAAston Villa manager Unai Emery had a heartwarming moment with Dean Smith on Sky Sports[/caption]

The game marked Emery’s one-year anniversary at the club since taking over from Steven Gerrard.

And he is certainly making his mark both in the Premier League and in Europe.

Former Villa boss Smith, 52, was covering the game as a pundit for Sky Sports and before the match he came face-to-face with Emery live on-air for a chat.

Smith greeted the ex-Arsenal manager with a warm handshake as it was smiles all-around.

He then asked him about the impressive home record since his arrival, with today their 11th-successive Premier League victory at Villa Park.

Emery replied by discussing how he wanted to reconnect the fans and get back the special atmosphere.

Smith then told Emery that he had succeeded in getting that connection and said he knew what it was like when the crowd was behind the team.

Sky Sports shared the clip on social media – and it soon sent Villa fans into meltdown as they loved the meeting between past and present.

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“Love to see it,” wrote one supporter in response.

Another said: “Two of the best managers for Villa in my lifetime and I’m only 30.

“Brings a tear to my eye. UP THE VILLA.”

“I’m crying,” said another fan while a fellow Villan said: “I’m not crying you are.”

As another comment read: “Can’t decide which one I love more.”

Smith grew up as an Aston Villa supporter and he landed his dream job back in 2018 after catching the eye at Brentford.

He guided his boyhood club straight to promotion via the Championship play-offs and then led them to survival during his first two seasons at the helm.

But he was axed by the club in November 2021 after a run of five straight defeats.

Smith returned to the dugout at Norwich just days later but he was unable to stop the Canaries from suffering relegation from the top-flight.

After a run of just three wins in thirteen Championship matches saw them fall from first in October to fifth, he was sacked in December 2022.

He then took charge of Leicester City with just eight games to go of last season, but once again he could not produce the magic to keep them up and he has been out of work since leaving them in June.