Brentford and Queens Park Rangers may be wary of Aston Villa’s apparent interest in Smith.
Brentford’s Dean Smith is the latest frontrunner to be Aston Villa’s next manager, according to Birmingham Live.
A West Bromwich-born Aston Villa supporter, Smith has impressed in spells at Walsall and Brentford.
But which of his players – past or present – might the 47-year-old try to sign if he is appointed at Villa Park? HITC Sport takes a look…
Daniel Bentley (Brentford)
Bentley has established himself as one of the Championship’s standout ‘keepers since his 2016 move from Southend United. But having recently been dropped by Smith over a string of uncharacteristic errors, and with his contract due to end in less than two years’ time, the 25-year-old could soon be available at a knock-down price. Villa have tried out four different shot-stoppers already this season, and their new boss may need to look externally if he is to improve between the sticks.
Yoann Barbet (Brentford)
Brentford risk losing Barbet if they cannot agree a new deal before his current one expires next summer. And given his ability to perform in not one but two positions in which Aston Villa are short (centre- and left-back), the Frenchman could find himself on any new manager’s shortlist – especially if Smith is that man.
Jake Bidwell (Queens Park Rangers)
Were Smith not to fancy Barbet, perhaps he could turn to Bidwell instead. The pair worked together at Brentford before the 25-year-old – a like-for-like alternative to the Bees man, also in the final year of his contract – was prised away by QPR in 2016.
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