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Dean Smith’s past comments on reported Aston Villa target Dwight Gayle

Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion looks on at the Bet365 Stadium on February 09, 2019 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
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Aston Villa are said to be trying to buy Newcastle United forward Dwight Gayle this summer.

Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion challenges goalkeeper Jed Steer of Aston Villa which resulted in him receiving a red card during the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Semi Final: First...

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith’s past comments on Dwight Gayle show that he rates him very highly.

Villa are said to be interested in buying the Newcastle United striker this summer by Birmingham Mail, and the claret and blues’ interest should not come as a major shock after looking at Smith’s past comments about him.

Villa only recently took on West Bromwich Albion in the play offs, where Gayle was on loan at last season.

Gayle scored for West Brom in the first-leg, but he was also sent off in the contest.

And when speaking ahead of the second-leg, the Villa boss was glowing in his praise of the goalscorer.

“He’s a very good player so he’ll be a big loss for them,” Smith said.

“I think it will be a factor because he’s a good player.

“At this level, I’ve said before, when he plays down the middle he can go and score 25/30 goals as he did with Newcastle a couple of years ago.

Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion collides with Ezri Konsa of Brentford at The Hawthorns on December 03, 2018 in West Bromwich, England.

“He’s a threat when you’ve got the ball as well because he’s such an outlet for them with his pace and trickery.”

TeamTalk claim that Villa would have to pay £15 million to take Gayle from Newcastle.

That could be a risk because Gayle has struggled at the top level previously, but his goalscoring record in the second tier is second to none.

Gayle hit 23 goals for West Brom in the past campaign, and Villa apparently feel that he could do damage in the Premier League with them.

Dwight Gayle of Newcastle (l) scores the second Newcastle goal  during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest at St James' Park on December 30, 2016...