Dean Smith has been impressed with Danny Drinkwater’s performances in training with the Aston Villa loanee extending his loan spell from Chelsea until the end of the season, according to the Express and Star.
It’s fair to say criticism has not been in short supply during the England international’s short-lived Villa career thus far.
An error-strewn debut in that 6-1 shellacking at home to Manchester City set the tone while a midfield disasterclass in his most recent appearance, coming against Tottenham in February, saw Drinkwater hooked on the hour mark.
Then again, if there is any player for whom rustiness should be expected, it is this former Leicester City hero.
After all, Drinkwater has barely kicked a ball in anger since his £30 million move to Stamford Bridge in 2017 and needs more than a handful of appearances to get himself up to speed.
Whether Drinkwater can rediscover his title-winning Leicester form and help Aston Villa pull off the great escape from relegation, however, remains to be seen.
According to the Express and Star, the one-time Manchester United youngster will be given the chance to impress between now and the end of the season, having caught Smith’s eye with his application and attitude behind the scenes at Bodymoor Heath.
And with Aston Villa needing every ounce of energy and quality in central midfield when they travel to Liverpool next time out, a first Premier League appearance since February could be on the cards for Drinkwater.
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