Report: Ollie Watkins set for Aston Villa medical and Dean Smith remains ‘big admirer’ of teammate

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Brentford striker Ollie Watkins is set for a medical at Aston Villa today, according to reports. Sky Sports is reporting that the forward travelled to Birmingham last night and will undergo a medical this morning ahead of completing a club-record deal worth up to £33 million. 

It is claimed that Watkins decided on a move to Villa as he is very keen to work with Dean Smith again, after their previous relationship at Griffin Park. 

Aston Villa moved in for Watkins after they lost out to Newcastle United in the pursuit of Callum Wilson. 

But the same Sky Sports report also had a note about another of Smith’s old guard at Brentford. 

The report claims that Smith is a ‘big admirer’ of the Algerian and is hopeful of adding in the left-wing position. Whilst it did not confirm interest, it certainly suggested that Aston Villa could soon make a move for the Brentford winger.

Of course, Aston Villa fans are no strangers to links with Benrahma, after being heavily linked throughout last summer.

As recently as last week, the Daily Mail reported how Smith might be beaten to the punch this time around as Aston Villa did not want to spend the £20 million asking price and West Ham were now keen.  

But The Telegraph later claimed that West Ham would not match the asking price either, so Aston Villa are still in with a shout. 

Whether the club will have the finances available after such a hefty deal to sign Watkins remains to be seen. However, Aston Villa fans might just have an extra reason to get excited about this summer going forward.