After days and days of speculation, Aston Villa have finally confirmed the appointment of former Brentford manager Dean Smith as the club's new head coach.

The 47-year old departs the West London club after enduring three impressive years at Griffin Park, having transformed the Bees into real promotion contenders and implementing an extremely attractive brand of football at the club.

But a move to Villa Park was too much for the lifelong Villa fan to turn down, and he will now look to push Villa up the table after a dismal start to the season - the Villans have won just one of their previous ten league outings.

There's no doubt in anyone's mind that Villa should be doing much, much better - they have one of the best squads in the league on paper, however may still need strengthening in January.

Smith may well look to go back to his old stomping ground to sign players in January, and here, we take a look at two Brentford players we could Dean Smith trying to sign for Villa in winter.

This is surely a no-brainer - Maupay is the division's leading goalscorer with ten goals to his name in twelve appearances this term.

Villa have the likes of Tammy Abraham, Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia up front, however the 22-year old offers a different dimension up front and has provided three assists this season.

Villa would have to get the cheque book out - the Frenchman is obviously very highly regarded at Griffin Park and has been captained the side a few times this season, but Villa should definitely look to sign him.

Another player we could see Smith trying to sign for Villa is Bees playmaker Romaine Sawyers.

Smith brought the 26-year old with him to Griffin Park from former club Walsall back in 2016, and has been a consistent performer for the Bees since his arrival a couple of years back.

The attacking midfielder, who thrives in the number ten position, would be a great addition for Villa, and would also allow Jack Grealish to play back out in his more natural position, out wide.

Smith should do everything in his power to bring Sawyers back to the West Midlands with him in January.