---
title: "Dean Smith says El Ghazi ‘needs confidence’"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/03/dean-smith-aston-villa-anwar-el-ghazi-confidence/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-03-03T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-03T14:00:00Z"
---

# Dean Smith says El Ghazi ‘needs confidence’

Anwar El Ghazi [returned to scoring form](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/01/aston-villa-anwar-el-ghazi-leeds-united/) in Aston Villa’s 1-0 win over Leeds United and Dean Smith revealed that the 25-year-old “needs confidence” to be at his best.

The Claret and Blues face Sheffield United on Wednesday evening and Smith believes El Ghazi could become “one hell of a player” for Villa if he can build on his Leeds performance.

He said in Tuesday’s pre-match [press conference](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/The-Presser-Smith-previews-Sheff-Utd-clash/): “He had a fruitful December. He’s just come into the team and he needs confidence. When he’s confident, he looks like one hell of a player.

“He came on as a sub against Wolves and took the last-minute penalty, scored and went on a goalscoring spree after that. Hopefully he can take confidence from his performance, first and foremost, against Leeds, scoring a winning goal and continue that into March now.”

El Ghazi has enjoyed a run in the side while Jack Grealish is out with a leg injury, scoring one goal in his last two games and looking a real threat every time he’s on the ball. But he can’t rest on his laurels.

The Netherlands international scored five goals in five Premier League games for Villa [in December](https://readastonvilla.com/2020/12/21/villa-fans-hail-anwar-el-ghazi-performance-west-brom/) but has virtually fired blanks before and after ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anwar-el-ghazi/leistungsdaten/spieler/183720)).

El Ghazi isn’t afraid to take a shot or run at his opposition, but [his finishing was been wayward for the longest time](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/22/opinion-anwar-el-ghazi-aston-villa-statistics-dean-smith-dropped/) and he wasn’t beating players in one-on-ones. That led to [Smith preferring Grealish on the left and Ross Barkley in the central attacking-midfield role](https://readastonvilla.com/2021/02/16/why-dean-smith-wont-drop-ross-barkley-aston-villa/).

Now El Ghazi’s got a chance to nail down a starting place for the foreseeable future if he can pick up against Sheffield United where he left off at Leeds.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

Smith is right about El Ghazi. He has all the attributes to be a fantastic forward, but his form hasn’t been consistent enough. If the 25-year-old can maintain his high levels, he’ll keep his place in the side when Grealish returns.