The Birmingham Mail's Ashley Preece has delivered the latest on Aston Villa manager Dean Smith's future at the club.

What's the story?

Reports in recent weeks had claimed that the Villa boss is currently fighting for his job amid a tough run of results, and the pressure rose even further at the weekend following their dismal defeat at home to West Ham.

Now, Preece has indicated that despite the recent downturn in form, the owners, Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, are firmly behind Smith for now.

He said: "Dean Smith is down to even-money favourite to be the next PL manager to leave," he began. "I have been told that the board remain right behind the manager. Southampton's a big one this week. Villa must improve before heading into the international break which will give staff and players the chance to regroup and reset ahead of two pivotal matches against Brighton (h) and Palace (a)."

Villa fans may be worried

With a clash against Southampton on Friday night on the horizon, the pressure has really amped up on Smith and his time at Villa Park.

The Villa boss oversaw a summer rebuild that saw a number of marquee arrivals, including the likes of Emi Buendia and Danny Ings, while Jack Grealish made his long-anticipated departure to Manchester City.

Despite picking up a couple of notable wins in the past couple of months - not least away at Old Trafford against Manchester United - the four defeats in four games has really seen Villa hit a roadblock and it's no surprise Smith's future is in question.

Preece's claim that NSWE remain fully committed to Smith might worry Villa fans on the basis that taking no action and letting this linger could prove to be a massive detriment to how this season pans out.

The club's form is unsurprisingly the worst of any team in the Premier League, and they remain only just three points above the drop zone, while one of their fellow strugglers Newcastle, look set to appoint a new manager in the near future.

It's nearing make-or-break time for Smith, and the game against Southampton could prove to be season-defining.

Meanwhile, Villa must finally unleash this academy starlet in the Premier League...