Dean Smith ready to hand Aston Villa new boy Mbwana Samatta baptism of fire in Carabao Cup semi-final

Boss Dean Smith will consider unleashing the Tanzania international from the start of Villa’s semi-final second leg against Leicester City.

At the very least, the 27-year-old will take a place on the bench after completing his £8.5million move from Genk last week.

Samatta was recruited following the season-ending knee injury suffered by record signing Wesley, with Villa having started their last four matches without a recognised striker in their line-up, including the 1-1 first leg draw at Leicester earlier in the month.

Smith now suddenly has an array of options with Keinan Davis also back fit and in contention to face the Foxes following three months out with a hamstring problem.

Samatta has trained with Villa’s first-team since receiving his work permit last week and Smith said: “He’s settled in very well, as you would expect because there’s a good group in that dressing room.

“But his personality and character have helped him too because he’s very bubbly and very determined and he wants to do well. There’s always an adaptation risk when a player comes in from another country and we’ve had a few this season. We’re not expecting him to hit the ground running straight away. But we know the qualities he has and hopefully he can bring them to the fore straight away.”

Douglas Luiz is favourite to be drafted into Villa’s midfield with Danny Drinkwater, who has started their last three Premier League matches, cup-tied.

The boss has also had to deal with the dilemma of who to start in goal. Orjan Nyland, who performed impressively in the first leg at the King Power Stadium, has since lost his place to new man Pepe Reina and Smith may favour the Spaniard’s big game pedigree on this occasion.

Villa remain keen to add another striker to their ranks before Friday’s transfer deadline with the focus on adding a player with previous Premier League experience.

Former Liverpool ace Daniel Sturridge, currently plying his trade in Turkey with Trabzonspor, is not thought to be on Villa’s list of targets, contrary to reports on the continent.

Smith has, meanwhile, ruled out the prospect of James Chester leaving Villa this week. The club captain had been linked with a move to the USA but the boss said: “James Chester is a great character and captain to have around this football club.

“He is well respected within the dressing room and within the coaches’ room as well. Ever since he played in the FA Cup against Fulham he’s been in the squad and on the bench because I thought he was our best player against Fulham and that shows how highly we think of him. Without a shadow of a doubt he has a future here.”