Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has revealed why he recalled Andre Green from his season-long loan deal at League One high-flyers Portsmouth, The News reports.
Green has spent the first half of the season on loan at Fratton Park but Villa have used their option to recall him back to Villa Park for the remainder of the season.
Smith has revealed that he believes the winger can be beneficial in helping his side push for a Championship play-off spot.
Green made just two starts whilst on-loan at Pompey, but did score five goals in his 12 appearances for the club.
Having been recalled earlier in the transfer window, the England under-20 international made a substitute appearance in Villa’s 2-2 draw with Hull on Saturday.
His appearance on Saturday means that Green has already represented two teams this campaign and cannot therefore not be sent back out on loan to another club this season.
Smith has spoken of what he believes Green will be able to bring to the table at Villa:
He came on and did OK. We know he has pace.
He is a local lad and probably in the final third his delivery has to get a bit better, though he is not the only one.
I think if we can work on him and keep developing he will become a very good player for Villa.
He has done very well at Portsmouth, though probably not had as much game time as he would have liked.
He has been used more as an impact sub.
But he is a talented footballer and I have the opportunity to bring him back.
We have a big 18 games ahead of us and I think he can help us. He has qualities that I like to see in a young footballer.
He has come through the system. He is quick and a goalscorer. All of those ingredients prompted me to bring him back.
Green scored the winning goal for Portsmouth in their FA Cup third-round tie with Rochdale earlier this month to set up a meeting with QPR in the fourth round on Saturday.
