Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson backed to be stronger with Premier League experience
Dean Smith expects Villa new boy Morgan Sanson to be stronger for the experience of his first Premier League start.
Sanson, a £14million signing from Marseille during the January transfer window, played just over an hour of last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Wolves.
The French midfielder had previously been limited to four substitute appearances, with Smith revealing he had initially found the intensity of Villa’s training sessions tough.
The boss explained: “I think anybody coming from other leagues that aren’t as intense as the Premier League, have to gradually find their way. Morgan has been finding his way with training and then minutes on the pitch as a sub.
“I thought he provided a really good first 45 minutes for us. But he got an early caution and they (Wolves) are very good counter-attacking in wide areas and I didn’t want to risk that. Their intensity from Wolves went up in the second half as well.”
Villa are continuing to assess the fitness of skipper Jack Grealish and right-back Matty Cash ahead of Friday’s trip to Newcastle.
