Wesley return is a boost for Aston Villa

The boss is mindful not to expect too much, too soon from the £21million striker, who ended a near 16-month lay-off when he came on as a late substitute in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Albion.

But Smith believes Wesley’s comeback will have a positive effect on the rest of the Villa squad, in addition to providing him with another option off the bench over the season’s final weeks.

The 24-year-old Brazilian had been sidelined since sustaining serious damage to three of the four main ligaments in his right knee during a Premier League match at Burnley on January 1 last year.

Smith revealed how Wesley had been given a round of applause by team-mates at Bodymoor Heath when it was confirmed he would be returning to the squad for the Albion match.

He said: “We are hoping he can make an impact. He has not had much game time but I thought it was worth putting him on the bench on Sunday.

“He nearly won the game at the end with a header. That really would have been a fairytale comeback.”