Dean Smith firmly believes Aston Villa are better equipped for the Premier League season ahead.
Dean Smith said: “We look like we’ve got better quality and we look a fitter team. They’ve both done OK for their Premier League debuts,” Smith said of Cash and club-record addition Watkins. Ollie’s made a great run to get the other side of John Egan which resulted in the red card. I think they can both be fairly pleased with their debuts. There’s certainly more to come. It’s their first look at Premier League football and I believe they’ll get better and better. We look like we’ve got better quality and we look a fitter team at the moment. To restrict Sheffield United was really pleasing.”
The head coach handed Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins their Villa debuts in the win over Sheffield United following their respective summer transfers. The Villa chief has made a big point about adding quality over quantity this time around following last summer’s well documented 12-player shopping spree totalling £130 million.