Express & Star

Dean Smith 'disappointed' by Marcelo Bielsa Spygate but unconcerned over Aston Villa security

Villa boss Dean Smith has dismissed any fears over security at Bodymoor Heath in the wake of ‘spygate’ declaring: “Even I have to show my passport to get in here!”

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Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa this week claimed to have sent a member of staff to spy on every team the Championship leaders have faced this season, including Villa, who they beat 3-2 last month.

Despite comparing Bielsa’s tactics to those of James Bond, Smith admitted he was disappointed by Argentinian’s admission and said: “I don’t think it’s right personally. It’s not the done thing in this country.

“It just doesn’t feel right. I don’t think it’s right and it’s not something I’d think of doing myself.

“I’d never heard of it before - there’s not many out there doing it. Politely I’d be saying: ‘Don’t do it again’.

“I’ve never wanted to watch the opposition, I’d prefer to concentrate on my own team.”

Leeds and Bielsa are currently under investigation after a man was last caught spying on Derby County’s training session from some bushes. Police intervened and Bielsa later admitted the man was under his orders.

Smith added: “It’d very tough for him to spy on us here, I have to show my passport whenever I go through security!

“It’s a hard place to come and spy, I was disappointed when I heard it. If they say they’ve done it, then they’ve done it.

“I wanted to be the first Ginger James Bond - but now we’ve got an Argentinian one!

“We won’t be looking at our security here because it’s hard to get in as it is.”