OPINION
Aston Villa are currently sitting in 14th place in the Championship, and that simply is not good enough for a team that was once tipped for promotion.
Former boss Steve Bruce will no doubt have most of the blame heaped on him for the lack of success, but now Dean Smith is in charge, Villa have a better chance than ever to turn their fortunes around.
However, how would they cope if midfielder Jack Grealish was to leave in January.
Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has told the Express that the Villa ace was “disappointed” not to have joined Tottenham in the summer – but who is to stop them for coming in for Grealish in the next transfer window?
Smith would have to find a suitable replacement, and he would not have to look very far to find one.
Prutton has tipped Brentford ace Romaine Sawyers to replace Grealish at Villa Park if he ever departed, and it helps that Smith knows him well from his previous post.
“If you look at the way Sawyers’ career has gone it mirrors Smith’s in many respects. Again, it would be another big step up for a player,” he said.
In fact, Grealish does not have to leave for Smith to plot a reunion with Sawyers – his addition would create a formidable force in the attacking midfield.
Villa Park would roar with the arrival of the 27-year-old, as Smith is the one person who knows how to get the best out of him, meaning that he would more than likely be a soaring success.
Sawyers has got the ability to thrive with Aston Villa, and a move for him could prove to be absolutely crucial in the promotion run-in.
Smith needs all of the firepower he can get his hands on to guide the team up the table, and come January, Sawyers will prove to be his best bet.
Should Grealish leave, then Sawyers can fill his shoes – if not, then the duo will be the envy of many Championship teams.