Dean Smith met the media via video call on Friday morning as he turns his attention to taking on Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Aston Villa boss discussed Sunday’s match-up, facing former Villan Tammy Abraham, Keinan Davis’ form and John Terry’s Chelsea links.
Here’s what he had to say…
On facing Chelsea…
We’ll have an idea of their squad and the shape. As Chris Wilder said before our game, there aren't too many surprises going to be thrown out.
We know each other’s squads because nothing’s changed within our squads.
We’ll have a good idea of who we’re going to be facing.
On stopping Tammy Abraham…
I don’t need to give my centre halves any plans. Tyrone, Kortney and Ezri know him very well, as we all do.
He’s gone onto Chelsea in the Premier League this season and done what I expected him to do. I’m pleased that he’s had his opportunity with Frank there and he’s shown everyone what a good player he is.
Our centre backs know from training with him every day last season how good he is and how good they will have to be to keep him quiet.
On Keinan Davis…
I thought his impact was really good but it was what I’d seen in the last four weeks of training and in the practice matches we’d had.
He’s going to be a top player. He’s a lad who has come through the academy and I’ve always said I’ve been a big fan of him and that the biggest problem is keeping him fit.
He’s had a few little niggles and injuries over the last 18 months, and he needed a long period without injury. This mini pre-season has been able to give him that.
He was a handful [against Sheffield United] and walking off speaking to my former player John Egan, John said what a handful he’d been.
On John Terry’s Chelsea knowledge…
He knows them inside and out. He’s obviously got Frank there and Jody Morris, who he’s big friends with.
There’s still a very close link there between JT and Chelsea and I’ll be leaning on him for some information.
