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Troubled Aston Villa sack Di Matteo after just 124 days in charge

Italian leaves once proud club, struggling near the foot of the Championship table, after latest defeat against Preston becomes the final straw for his dismissal

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Roberto Di Matteo was in charge of Aston Villa for only 12 games. Photo: Reuters
Agence France-Presse

Roberto Di Matteo was sacked by Aston Villa on Monday after just 12 matches in charge of the troubled Championship club.

Di Matteo was hired by Villa’s new Chinese owner Tony Xia in June and the former Chelsea boss was expected to lead his side into the Premier League.

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Villa are playing in the second tier for the first time since 1988 following last season’s relegation, but they have struggled to show any improvement under Di Matteo despite splashing out on several expensive new signings.

Saturday’s woeful 2-0 defeat at Preston, which ended with Villa booed off by their furious fans, proved the final straw and 48 hours later the Italian’s 124-day reign was over.

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