By Graham Hill
VILLA boss Dean Smith admits his side’s play-off push has left him in limbo when it comes to summer transfer plans.
Smith says his targets will change if Villa come through and win promotion to the Premier League.
And he still maintains that is a tall order despite seeing Villa return to the top six last weekend with a 3-0 win over Middlesbrough.
But he insists he will not be able to put together a definite plan for the summer until he knows which division Villa are going to be playing in.
If Villa are in the Premier League he could turn Tyrone Mings’ loan from Bournemouth into a permanent deal.
Jack Grealish would be likely to stay, with Tottenham ready to renew their interest. along with John McGinn who is a reported target for new Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers who wanted the Scot when he was Celtic boss.
Another season in the Championship would raise question marks over those players’ stay at Villa.
Tammy Abraham is set to return to Chelsea no matter what division Villa are playing in.
Smith is thought to be ready to make a move for two players from his former club Brentford – Neal Maupay and Yoann Barbet.
The Villa boss said: “While there is a mathematical possibility you have to have half an eye on being a Premier League team or a Championship team.
“At the moment we’re a Championship team. And unless we put a string of wins together we will still be next season.”
Villa Roar 