With Dean Smith now at the helm of Aston Villa, fans and players alike will be hopeful that the remaining few months of the season can become exciting ones. 

Smith took over with the club sat in 15th place after Steve Bruce's sacking and faced an uphill battle to make a success of the current campaign.

He has had a tricky start to life at the West Midlands club as well.

After winning his first game against Swansea City at Villa Park, two losses have followed against Norwich City and Queens Park Rangers, meaning the side have tumbled down to 17th now.

Smith has a host of attacking talent at his disposal and there is a good chance he is simply yet to figure out his best side.

The likes of Tammy Abraham, Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan seem to have the one striking spot nailed down between them.

But where does that leave young Rushian Hepburn-Murphy?

Here are two clear reasons why the 20-year-old should push for a move in January.

The first thought in his mind must be to improve.

Young footballers will only improve so much by playing low-intensity reserve fixtures as Hepburn-Murphy has been.

If he is going to fulfil his potential he needs to be playing competitive matches. He just needs to look at Jack Grealish's spell with Notts County to know it can be well worth doing.

He currently has no chance of breaking into the Villa side.

Tammy Abraham, Jonathan Kodjia, Scott Hogan and probably Keinan Davis would all need to suffer injuries or suspensions for him to have a chance of playing.

A move, either permanent or on loan, would give him that crucial game time.