Aston Villa will be hoping that 2019 is the year where they return to the Premier League under the guidance of Dean Smith.

Certainly, Smith appears to have galvanised the players since coming in from Brentford but they still need to be a bit more consistent to really threaten the play-offs.

They'll be looking to add to their squad rather than see it deplete this January, then, and it seems as though they might well now be boosted by Tammy Abraham rather than hindered by him.

Reports had suggested that his loan deal at the club would come to an end this month as he sought a move to a Premier League side for the rest of the campaign.

However, comments from both Smith and Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri should cause excitement for Vilal fans.

Smith, after the game with QPR said Abraham was showing no sign of wanting to leave whilst Sarri himself has said that he doesn't plan on bringing the striker away from Villa Park.

This will undoubtedly plant a seed of hope in the mindset of Villa fans and, though it is early in the window, it is already a potential u-turn in the situation that will be welcomed at B6.