Smith hamstrung by lack of clinical strikers

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith is hardly spoiled for choices when it comes to finding a goalscorer to preserve their Premier League status — and that is the reason the club are on the verge of going down, according to Matt Targett.

Villa must beat Arsenal on Tuesday night to keep in survival contention and extend their one-year stay in the top flight, and to do that they must score.

It also means Smith praying that either Tanzanian Mbwana Samatta or local lad Keinan Davis, his two options to lead the line against the Gunners, can find the net when it really matters. The two men have just a solitary Premier League goal between them.

Villa had chances to win at Everton on Thursday before settling for a 1-1 draw, and it’s their weak front line which Targett reckons is the issue.

‘We can be more clinical up front,’ said the left back. ‘I think that’s been our problem most of the season. You can’t always rely on keeping a clean sheet to win you a game.’

Villa are three points from safety with two games left — they sign off at West

Ham on Sunday — and have won just one of their last 12 matches.

Talisman Jack Grealish — who is linked with moves to Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham — has not found the net in six months and while Targett might want to point the finger at the frontmen, only already relegated Norwich have shipped more goals.

Smith remains positive at least. He said: ‘We have got better. I thought Douglas Luiz was excellent against Everton and John McGinn is back to full fitness, so we have players who are playing well again and that give you hope to go on and win the last two games.’