Aston Villa boss Dean Smith admits he wanted to sign Teemu Pukki at Brentford

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has praised Norwich City hitman Teemu Pukki as he prepares his side to face the prolific hitman this weekend.

As per Birmingham Mail, Smith also admitted he tried to sign Pukki when he was manager of Brentford and retains respect for his qualities.

Smith said: “I had a look at him when I was Brentford coach. He’s a good player, he scored a lot of goals last season. I’ve seen him play a number of times for Celtic as well when he was there. He certainly upped his level last season and then has started the season well this, scoring goals again.

“He’s a handful and one our centre-backs have to very wary of. I don’t think our centre-backs have played against him before. Tyrone Mings certainly didn’t play against him last season, and Bjorn Engels. Ezri Konsa probably played against him for Brentford.”

TBR’s View – Pukki is the kind of predator Villa are missing

Wesley probably does deserve to be cut some more slack than he is currently being; he’s a young player who is adjusting to English football with the pressure of a big price tag on his head.

But between him and Keinan Davis, Smith has focused on youth and power in his frontmen, which perhaps more of a poacher like Pukki could grab some more goals.

Jonathan Kodjia could be that man – but has also operated from wide often for Villa, and could be again when he’s fit.

If Pukki keeps scoring while Villa’s goalscoring woes continue, it might be easy for the supporters to look enviously at their fellow promoted club and weekend opponents.