Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has challenged winger Anwar El-Ghazi to keep improving and show more consistency, ahead of the final four matches of the Championship season.

The 23-year-old is currently on a season-long loan at Villa Park from French Ligue 1 side Lille and has played an important role for the team this season, scoring five goals and delivering five assists in 28 Championship appearances.

The Dutchman produced a man-of-the-match display against Bristol City at the weekend, setting up the winning goal for Conor Hourihane, as Villa extended their winning run to eight straight matches.

Smith has praised the winger for his performances for Villa this season and has challenged the forward to keep improving ahead of the final four matches of the season.

Smith was speaking to the media ahead of Friday's game against Bolton Wanderers in the Championship, as his side look to continue their remarkable form.

Villa are currently fifth in the Championship table and look set to finish the season in the play-off places, after an incredible run of eight straight victories.

The team will be looking to further cement their position in the the top six, with back-to-back wins against Bolton and Millwall this weekend.

The Verdict:

Smith is right to praise El-Ghazi, who has played an important role for the team this season and appears to have hit form at exactly the right time.

Villa fans will be hoping that the winger can use this message from his manager as motivation to keep improving, ahead of an important few weeks for the team.