Dean Smith wants Kortney Hause to realise his true potential at Aston Villa

The 23-year-old this week joined on loan from Wolves, for the rest of the season, with Villa having the option to make the move permanent in the summer.

Hause, a former England under-21 international, has found his opportunities limited at Molineux since the arrival of Nuno Espirito Santo 18 months ago.

But he is a player long admired by Smith and one the boss believes could succeed at the game’s highest level.

He said: “Kortney was one we flagged straight away and I am really pleased to have got him. He is a talent.

“He is a physical specimen as well and can dominate in both boxes. He brings us a balance, being left-footed. On top of all that he is a really good athlete.

“Kortney is a project for us because he can get better. We want to help him improve and get to the levels we believe he can do.”

Hause has been limited to just six senior appearances since May 2017 but Smith said: “They have some good defenders at Wolves. Kortney just never got the opportunity.

“He played a lot of games in the Championship the season before Nuno came and I know he is more than capable of playing in the Championship, if not higher.”

Smith has been impressed by Hause’s character and his willingness to learn.

He continued: “One of the big things about Kortney, speaking to people who have worked with him, is his aptitude to learn.

“That is a key thing we want from people here. I am learning all the time. I think everyone should be.

“You are learning from the owners, the CEO and sporting director, the other coaches and the players.

“It is having the aptitude to learn. You have to want to learn. If you think you know everything that is the road to ruin, for me. We want people in the building who want to keep getting better.”