Dwight Gayle fired West Bromwich Albion into the Championship play-offs but he will miss the semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.
Dean Smith must be thrilled that his Aston Villa side will not have to worry about facing Dwight Gayle in Tuesday’s Championship play-off semi final, telling the Birmingham Mail that the West Bromwich Albion forward is a ‘threat’ and a ‘handful’.
A striker who fired Newcastle United to the second tier title two years ago has found goals easy to come by in the Championship again since joining The Baggies on loan from the Magpies last summer.
The former Crystal Palace poacher has plundered 23 goals in 39 league games in West Brom colours.
Fortunately for Villa, though, he will be unavailable for the play-off semi final at The Hawthorns in midweek after being controversially sent off for a late challenge on goalkeeper Jed Steer during Saturday’s first leg.
This means Aston Villa have an excellent chance of reaching Wembley, leading 2-1 against a West Brom side shorn of their star striker.
“It will be unfortunate for them because he’s a handful,” said Smith. “He’s a handful when we’ve got the ball as well because defenders have to be very bright on their rest defending because any clearance turns into a counterattack with him.
“He’s a very good player so he’ll be a big loss for them. 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.
“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.”
West Brom may hand Hal Robson-Kanu a start at The Hawthorns while pinning their hopes on former England international Jay Rodriguez as they look to avoid a second successive Championship season.
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