NORWICH City have announced former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith as their new head coach, ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Saints.

Smith has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Carrow Road and will be assisted again by Craig Shakespeare.

Smith guided Aston Villa back to the Premier League but it was a meeting with Saints that spelled the end of his career in Birmingham.

The gaffer will be the first to face the same team consecutively with two different clubs, after Adam Armstrong’s superb winner at St Mary’s compounded him to five consecutive defeats and the sacking.

Ralph Hasenhuttl had been bizarrely linked to the vacant post, while Frank Lampard was heavy in the running.

Speaking after his announcement, Smith said: “It has been a whirlwind seven days, but I’m really pleased to be back and working for Norwich City in the Premier League.

“Norwich City is a big club, with a massive hardcore of supporters who are fully understanding in what it means to be part of the club and its community.

“I was brought up in an era when Norwich were competing in Europe – I remember those times well and whenever I’ve visited Carrow Road and Norwich you can really sense the connection between the fans, staff and players.”