Norwich City head coach Dean Smith admitted it will take time to sink in after the first relegation of his coaching career was sealed at former club Aston Villa following a 2-0 Premier League defeat.

Burnley’s comeback 2-1 win at Watford coupled with goals from Ollie Watkins and Danny Ings at Villa Park sealed the Canaries’ top flight fate.

Smith replaced Daniel Farke in November but was unable to arrest a decline and is now tasked with leading the fightback in the Championship next season.

“My immediate reaction is one of bitter disappointment,” he said. “I take my full responsibility as well but the last four or five weeks there has probably been an inevitability about it.

"Disappointed we got relegated after a good performance but unfortunately over the entire season our performances have not been good enough.

“We have lacked the quality that is required in this league. I said it on Friday about this word I keep hearing, ‘apathy’ but I just don’t see it. It is imperative we all stick together now, learn our lessons and get ready for another tilt at the Championship.

“The last two times we have won it and we have to aspire to that. The players are very down, very dejected.

“I won’t know what my feeling about relegated will really be like until I reflect over these coming weeks. We have to move very quickly on to plan for the future.”