Dean Smith has enjoyed watching Tammy Abraham succeed this season – even if that means it’s in a blue Chelsea shirt rather than his old Aston Villa jersey. The pair will reunite once more on Sunday, after Abraham inspired Chelsea to a winter victory at Stamford Bridge. While Smith is proud of his former star – who spent a successful season on loan at Villa Park last year – he’ll be hoping to get the better of him and his club in this next clash.
Dean Smith said “Tammy did what I expected him to do, Fortunately for Tammy, Frank Lampard and Jody Morris have gone in there and have shown the likes of him, Tomori, Reece James and Mason Mount, a chance. Tammy has repaid them in the way that I thought he would. He’s a top player and a top person. We loved having him here and playing a part in his development and you know he’ll always have a strong affinity for Aston Villa. We’re really pleased to see how he’s done, but we’re hopeful that our defenders get the upper hand against him during this game. Tammy will see it as a challenge (Werner). He’s got the number nine shirt and he’ll want to keep that shirt.I don’t see a reason why he can’t play with Werner. Who knows what Frank’s thoughts are on his team. I can’t second guess anybody. Knowing Tammy, he’s a superb guy with a top attitude at the top level, I think he is the real deal, everything about him. He sets standards and maintains them and tries to push them even more. To be a top drawer player you have to have those standards but you have to be driven. He has been around that club for a long time and it has been a very successful club both in Europe and the Premier League. When you are involved and around people who are winners that rubs off on you, he is one of them.”
