MX23RW : Sunday, January 6 09:03:25
Jan 1, 2019 at 3pm UK at ​Villa Park (Birmingham)
Attendance: 37,760
Aston Villa
2-2
QPRQueens Park Rangers
Abraham (21', 75')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Freeman (41'), Eze (57')

Smith says loan deal is good news for Villa, Chelsea and Abraham

Smith says loan deal is good news for Villa, Chelsea and Abraham
© Reuters
Boss does not want to lose his in-form striker.

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith hopes on-loan striker Tammy Abraham stay with the club and not be
recalled by parent club Chelsea.

The 21-year-old scored both goals in the 2-2 home Sky Bet Championship draw against rapidly improving QPR.

Commenting upon reports that Abraham wants to play Premier League football, Smith said: "Tammy has shown no inclination to go back to Chelsea.

"We are very happy with the way Tammy is developing as a player and as a person. He is very happy and you can see the connection he has the supporters, the players and staff.

"Chelsea seem very happy as he developing as a player and scoring goals in the Championship. For all three parties it is a win, win, win.

"So I would be amazed if anything happened to prevent him playing for Villa. But it is not in my control. If Chelsea decide to recall him it is up to them.

"In the conservations I've had with him he is enjoying himself at Villa and is developing as a player."

Following a quiet start, Abraham took his tally to 10 goals in the last 11 home games.

He opened the scoring after 21 minutes before spirited QPR equalised through Luke Freeman just before half-time.

Eberechi Eze gave the visitors a 2-1 lead, only for Abraham to come to Villa's rescue with a 76th-minute equaliser.

Smith admitted: "It was frustrating as we know it was a game we should have won. After Abraham's first goal we fell away when we should have capitalised upon it.

"We lacked a bit of quality although the players showed a lot of character. It was a game which got away from us when we should have won – at 1-0 we should have kept the pressure on Rangers.

"Probably the four games in 10 days took their toll on key players like John McGinn and Conor Hourihane. Their quality was not as good as it usually is."

QPR boss Steve McClaren said: "It was a great game of football and a great advert for the Championship with two teams fully committed.

"I was delighted with the performance of my players to keep producing performances, especially away from home.

"I was proud of the players as it was a fantastic performance against a star team.

"They worked very hard for each other to give us a platform. The two goals were excellent and I feel we deserved the result.

"We are hard to beat and we are getting better with every game. It was a thoroughly good performance and in the last five games the lads have surprised me, showing great character and getting results.

"What also pleased me was that we scored two goals and could have scored more.

"The firepower Villa have should certainly propel them into the play-offs. They have the makings and the players to be up near the top.

"It's a long season and I think Villa will get stronger but I am just delighted by what we are doing."


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Dean Smith in charge of Aston Villa on December 7, 2018
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21173149103954
2Manchester CityMan City21162356173950
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs21160546212548
4Chelsea21135338162244
5Arsenal21125446311541
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd21115543321138
7Leicester CityLeicester219482523231
8Watford218583031-129
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves218582325-229
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham218492932-328
11Everton217683131027
12Bournemouth2183103140-927
13Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton217592429-526
14Crystal Palace2164111926-722
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2146111529-1418
16Burnley2153132142-2118
17Cardiff CityCardiff2153131941-2218
18Southampton2137112138-1716
19Fulham2135131947-2814
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2124151337-2410

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