Dean Smith: Aston Villa youngster Jacob Ramsey can be a threat
Dean Smith wants Jacob Ramsey to start becoming a goal threat for Villa as the teenager looks to build on an impressive introduction to the Premier League.
The 19-year-old midfielder has started three of the club’s last four fixtures, getting the nod ahead of Chelsea loan star Ross Barkley and £14million January signing Morgan Sanson.
But while boss Smith has been impressed with Ramsey’s overall development, he wants the youngster to start taking more risks in the final third.
He said: “JJ is a No.8, he is box-to-box but he can also get on the end of things, that is one of his traits.
“I just felt that in his previous few games he has not got into the opposition box as much as he can do.
“It was something I was trying to encourage him and John McGinn to do at Newcastle last week.”
Villa are sweating on the fitness of winger Bertrand Traore (ribs) ahead of Sunday’s visit of Tottenham.
The visitors have concerns over Heung-min Son after the forward was forced off early in their defeat to Arsenal with a muscle injury.
