Aston Villa are still hopeful of bringing in highly-sought after Brentford winger Said Benrahma before Thursday's 17:00 deadline, according to The Express.

After winning promotion back to the Premier League last season, Dean Smith remains keen to strengthen his side as much as possible with a move for his former Bees' recruit still very much in the offing.

Benrahma only made the move to Griffin Park last summer for around £1.5million but after an excellent debut season in England, during which he racked up ten goals and 15 assists in 38 second-tier games, Brentford knew they would face a battle to keep hold of him.

Thomas Frank has already lost four first-team stars this summer, with striker Neal Maupay completing a move to Brighton,  centre-back Ezri Konsa reuniting with Smith at Villa Park, goalkeeper Dan Bentley leaving for Bristol City and midfielder Romaine Sawyers making a return to West Brom.

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Benrahma was also absent for Brentford's opening day defeat to Birmingham City on Saturday, continuing to add to the speculation surrounding his future.

The verdict

I fancy Brentford to keep hold of their star here.

With Villa having already brought in Trezeguet this summer they will not be as keen to land Benrahma as they perhaps were at the start of the summer and Brentford are not in a position where they need to sell. Far from it.

Frank needs to have a sit down with Benrahma and convince him that Griffin Park remains the best place for him to develop and perhaps tell him that they will be willing to let him leave.

But Brentford have a real chance at winning promotion this season and it would be great to see the Algerian hang around.