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Dean Smith will make Premier League history as the first manager to take charge of successive games against the SAME opponent... with Norwich dugout debut coming against Southampton - where defeat got him the sack by Aston Villa

Dean Smith will become the first ever manager to take charge of successive Premier League matches against the same opponent after taking over at Norwich City.

In the latest installment of the manager merry-go-round, Norwich confirmed the appointment of Smith as their new head coach, with the former Aston Villa boss penning a two-and-a-half year deal on Monday.

The 50-year-old left his job at Villa Park eight days earlier but made an immediate return to the Premier League and is tasked with avoiding relegation at Carrow Road.

Norwich City confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as their new manager on Monday

Aston Villa's 1-0 defeat away to Southampton on November 5 was the final nail in Smith's coffin with the club.