Kenny Jackett has spoken of his admiration for Aston Villa attacker Andre Green, despite Pompey fans not getting to see the best of the 20-year-old.

He played in just six League One matches for Pompey, with only two of those outings from the start. He scored one league goal, coming in a 2-1 home defeat by Charlton, but bagged twice in the EFL Trophy and twice in the FA Cup.

He arrived at Portsmouth with a cyst on his knee which ruled him out for much of the spell, but ended up with 12 appearances to his name in league and cup.

Jackett has admitted that despite his limited impact at Fratton Park, he's not surprised at the youngster's recent elevation to the Villa first team.

"It was tough for Andre at first with the injury, but by the end we could all see what was there," he told Portsmouth.co.uk. 

‘"Myself, Joe (Gallen), Phil Boardman, having been in the midlands for three years, knew he’s a big player. By the end of his loan here, everybody could see his potential, how good perhaps he could be, what he was going to be."

Jackett revealed he would have preferred to keep the player at Fratton Park, but understood how it wasn't possible.

"We would have loved for him to continue with us, but that’s the system. He has gone back to Aston Villa, he’s Villa boy, definitely. He will be proud to play for them – and I have seen he has risen to it."

Green has started six Championship matches for Villa as they've risen to the Championship play-off places.

The Verdict

The loan spell served its purpose. Green was always going to excel once he got fit, he's a real talent and didn't have anything to prove at Portsmouth.

His league return doesn't look great, but four goals in six cup matches made a big statement. He'll be a Villa first team player for a long while yet.