By Paul Brown
Darren Bent believes Andreas Weimann could play a big part in the season run-in, hailing the young striker "one of the best natural finishers I have seen for a long, long time."
Bent trains with Weimann every day as the pair sharpen their skills at Bodymoor Heath.
In fact, Bent often stays behind with Weimann to offer the Austrian ace advice and practice penalties.
Villa's record-signing has been thoroughly impressed with what he's seen and thinks Weimann has a big, big future ahead of him.
He said: "Andy is one of the best natural finishers I have seen for a long, long time.
"When he's in training he just never seems to miss the target. He's always on the scoresheet.
"He has all the attributes to be a top, top striker.
"He reminds me quite a lot of Dean Ashton. He was one hell of a finisher before he unfortunately had to retire and so is Andy.
"He has all the credentials and I am tipping him to be a top, top player.
"These are the kind of guys you want to see succeed. They work so hard and they have that hunger to make it and succeed.
"It's great training with the young lads and I like giving them advice too, anything that might help them."
Bent was also quick to hail the contribution made by young starlet Gary Gardner, the central ace certainly not looking out of place against Manchester City duo Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong.
Bent added: "Gary has done really well. We all know what a good player he is.
"He is good in training, his passing is excellent, he's sharp, he can get stuck in and he can hit a ball too.
"We have seen him progressing through the youth side, the reserves and in the NextGen tournament and it's great to be with him in the first team now.
"He looked so comfortable against Manchester City. He didn't look fazed at all. That's full credit to him.I think he's going to be a top player."
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