OPINION
If Dean Smith thought it was going to be easy to get Aston Villa back in the hunt for the play-offs he might be currently having a re-think after two games in charge.
He won his first game against Swansea on Saturday but came back to earth with a bump after losing 2-1 to Norwich last night, despite going ahead through James Chester in the 19th minute.
Smith said his side looked short at the back when he arrived and that’s true, but he also needs more attacking options and he couldn’t do much better than 21-year-old attacking midfielder Kieran Dowell.
The England Under-21 international has been sidelined at Everton after enjoying a brilliant season on loan at Nottingham Forest for the 17/18 season.
He made 43 appearances for the club, scoring 10 goals and adding five assists, and some Everton fans were expecting him to be knocking on the first-team door this season.
That hasn’t happened so far, barring two Carabao Cup outings, and it looks like he’s going to have to go out on loan if he wants regular game-time, something he definitely needs at this stage of his career.
Dowell has made the bench three times in the Premier League without getting on the pitch and he’s been dropped from the squad for the last four games.
He’s been linked with possible moves to other Championship sides like Middlesbrough but Dean Smith should ensure he’s at the head of the queue if his signature is on offer this January.
He’s a real talent, looked fantastic at Nottingham Forest last season, obviously knows the Championship inside out and could come in and do a job straight away for Smith and John Terry.
The new Villa owners were willing to spend in January if there’s a possibility of promotion. Even if there isn’t, Dowell would be a bargain option to give Villa every chance of making a late charge.
Villa Park would roar if Smith managed to bag him ahead of his league rivals.