Brentford striker and Championship top goalscorer Neal Maupay has refused to deny any rumours linking him with a move to Aston Villa, after speaking to the Independent.

The Frenchman has been the diamond amongst the rubble for a struggling Bees side this season, and currently leads the way in the Sky Bet Championship goalscoring charts with 15 goals, as well as adding six assists for Brentford this campaign.

Dean Smith, since his departure from Griffin Park in October, has been linked with a host of players from his former club - defender Yoann Barbet and midfielder Romaine Sawyers are a couple of names that the Villans have been linked with since the 47-year old’s switch to the West Midlands.

And, after speaking to the Independent, Maupay has refused to rule out any rumours linking him with a move to Villa Park.

“I have a really, really good relationship with Dean (Smith), so obviously if one day he calls me and says ‘Neal, I need you in my team’ I would consider it.”

“But at this moment I can’t be focused on other things than Brentford. Obviously, I really liked working for him, so if one day he wants to bring me to Villa or wherever I would listen to him because he has done a lot of good things for me.”

Maupay himself has been linked with a move to Premier League strugglers Huddersfield Town, in a bid to cure the Terriers’ goalscoring woes.

Villa currently sit three points off the Championship play-off places, while Brentford sit five points above the relegation zone in 18th position.

The Verdict

How excited would you be if you were a Villa fan right now?!

I’m not saying Villa need Maupay. They don’t. But if Tammy Abraham gets injured or is recalled from his loan spell at Villa, then what a replacement Maupay would be.

To contribute to that many goals to a struggling team is fantastic.

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