Smith loves full English We want a British feel... it’ s the way forward
DEAN SMITH will buy the best of British this summer to realise Aston Villa’s ambition.
Villa’s chief has admitted his domestic-focused policy will be extended as he seeks to push the Birmingham club upwards next season.
His formula is already reaping rich rewards as the international break opened up before him with a string of his charges linking up with the Three Lions.
Striker Ollie Watkins joined centre-half Tyrone Mings in the England ranks.
Gamble
With star turn Jack Grealish sidelined through injury, national manager Gareth Southgate also took time out to name-check right-back Matty Cash.
With left-back Matt Targett also moving into consideration, it is clear that Smith’s gamble is paying off.
Asked whether it was largely British by design or default, he said: “A little bit by design. We wanted a ‘British’ feel about us.
“But that’s not to say we will turn up our noses at good deals abroad – we won’t.
“We’ve taken that view because we expect player recruitment to be harder because of Brexit.
“That’s something we have been conscious of, so young, British talent is what we’re looking for.
“I believe that can improve us and, also, we believe we can improve those players as well.
“We can improve them, their value. The fact that they can see a clear pathway for them now with England will help, too.” Villa followed a similar path – with some success – just over 22 years ago when John Gregory was in charge at the club.
A core group of mainly English-qualified players, pushed fleetingly to the top of the
Premier League.
Southgate was part of that along with others such as Lee Hendrie, Gareth Barry, Ugo Ehiogu and Dion Dublin, who formed an all-english XI that sat on the summit back in December 1998.
Ironically, given Smith’s words, Villa’s last move was
WAT A START: Watkins scored on his Three Lions debut what they believe will be a cut-price £14million bargain in French midfielder Morgan Sanson that was the third largest Premier League January import behind Manchester United’s £37m starlet Amad Diallo and Said Benrahma, who made his £25m move from Brentford to West Ham permanent.
Villa are likely to be active in the market again. Behind the scenes, the club has strengthened its academy considerably with investment in players after academy manager Mark Harrison was headhunted from West Brom.
Smith (left) added: “The owners are the strategic ones, they’re the ones who know what they want their football club to look like.
“My job was to improve the culture of the club, and improve the playing style and players.
“That has to start at the very top. I’ve said many times I’m grateful we have good owners.
Evolving
“And for my part, a good culture is always evolving. It can never stay still – it has to get better.
“When someone comes into the training ground they should see it, hear it, feel it. That’s what I want.
“I’m the overall manager at the training ground. When people are visiting, I want them to see a team.
“Not just of players, but ground staff, catering staff, that everyone’s pushing in the same direction.
“The whole training ground therefore becomes a learning zone.
“If there’s a continual willingness to learn, then improvement will follow.”