Villa roundup: Dean Smith says squad is still one short

In his pre-match press conference Aston Villa Head Coach Dean Smith says the search continues for new players before the transfer window closes up, “We’re always looking in the market, we’re probably one short in the squad at the moment so we’ll keep looking at that.” Specifically, Smith mentioned the forward line, now that Ally Samatta has completed a transfer to Fenerbahçe, and the midfield. Smith dropped a hint that the team would love a player that could fill both needs.

The club is also working to send a few more people out of the squad.

Speaking of Samatta, he posted a very nice note on his way out the door.

It is an odd transfer built out of necessity — and one that will likely be a trivia answer in a few years — but he gave full effort to lead the line in a very difficult time. I’ll remember the player fondly and wish him well in Turkey.

One of the new Aston Villa players made a mark right away on Thursday. And the video is worth watching again and again.

And I appreciate the man was humble enough to admit there was more than a touch of fortune in the finish.

Aston Villa advance to play Stoke in Round four of the Carabao Cup on Thursday, October 1. There will be no television coverage of the match — which I can’t blame anyone for because there are some high profile matchups which will result in some top teams exiting the competition early (Liverpool v Arsenal, Tottenham v Chelsea). Look for similar squad rotation as the matches are coming quickly.

Next up is Fulham on Monday. Dean Smith confirmed that Konsa is fit with what turned out not to be a hamstring issue, but a glute strain. He is all set. Engels, Wesley, and Heaton remain unavailable.