‘Can be a really top player for us’: Dean Smith hails Aston Villa talent

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Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has waxed lyrical about Jacob Ramsey, tipping him to be a “really top player” for the club.

The 20-year-old has come through the ranks at Villa Park and enjoyed a superb breakthrough season last time out.

Ramsey made 22 Premier League appearances in 2020-21 and turned out three times in the League Cup.

This season, he has made three league appearances, of which two were starts, and was really impressive against Chelsea last time out.

Although Villa lost 3-0, Ramsey gave Saul Niguez a torrid time, resulting in Thomas Tuchel taking him off at the break.

Ramsey won all three of his duels against the La Liga and Europa League winner, and boasted a 100 percent passing accuracy.

Ahead of Villa taking on Everton on Saturday evening, Smith spoke highly of Ramsey.

“I’ve spoken quite a few times about the academy we’ve got in place here under the tutelage of Mark Harrison,” he told the Villa website.

“I gave JJ his debut in the Championship, I think he was 17 at the time.

“We just felt that he had the potential to become a really top player.

“He’s had a loan spell at Doncaster and then we kept him with the first team squad last year.

“We just feel his maturation has come at a really good time for him.

“He looks strong, he looks athletic, he’s always been a talented footballer but he’s putting it altogether now on the biggest stage of all, the Premier League.

“We believe he can be a really top player for us.”