Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believes on-loan striker Tammy Abraham can break the Championship scoring charts by the end of the season. The Chelsea ace has been a huge hit for the Villains this term with 22 goals, and Smith fancies the marksman to build on the tally as the club seek to ensure their berth in the playoffs.

He said: “I’ve got a great belief in him. He scores a lot of goals in six-yard box. His movement is really good and he creates space for others. His finishing is getting better and better. I certainly feel with seven games to go he can score another five or six that will propel him up the top of the goalscoring charts. His goals are important, but we need others to score as well. “We’ve had that in recent weeks so it takes the pressure off Tammy.”

“Abraham has scored on just one occasion over the past four matches“ but that has not hampered the performances of the team with other members chipping in with crucial goals. The west Midlands outfit are currently placed sixth on the table with 60 points on the board, but they still have “plenty of work to“ do, considering only three points separate them from 10th-placed Preston North End.

Villa will be aiming to extend a five-match winning league streak when they face Sheffield Wednesday on the road on Saturday. The match would witness the team’s reunion with former boss Steve Bruce, but they can expect no favours from the opposite end. Wednesday have improved their form under the guidance of Bruce and they are currently four points behind the Villains, who are holding the final playoff position. The reverse fixture between the sides witnessed Wednesday secure a 2-1 triumph in September 2018. Bruce was sacked by the Villains a couple of games later.