Aston Villa could complete Dean Smith's dream attack by landing Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer amid Lee Hendrie's transfer claim.

What's the story?

The former Peterborough striker has enjoyed a fine debut campaign in the Championship with the Bees, scoring an impressive 28 goals and providing a further nine assists in the league alone.

Hendrie has suggested that the £16.2m-rated striker is someone who Villa boss Smith should absolutely be looking to sign ahead of a potential summer move.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, the 43-year-old said: "There is some really good talent out there. You look at the Brentford side and Mbeumo who's been good, possibly not scoring enough goals this season like he did last season, which made a big impact.

"And obviously, Ivan Toney. There’s no way if Brentford don’t go up this season that he’s not getting snapped up by someone because he's been the best player in the Championship arguably, because of the goals he has scored, and the assists he has been involved in. I'd certainly have a look at him if I was Villa manager. 

"If I had to pick a player, Ivan Toney I’d certainly be looking at if Brentford didn’t go up because of his goals this season. I feel that he would fit in well, certainly a Villa side if he was available, it’s just obviously what fee they’d have to pay for him."

Dream attack for Dean Smith

Having already seen the kind of success Ollie Watkins has enjoyed since making the same step-up from Brentford to the Premier League, making a move for Toney could complete a dream strike force for Smith.

Toney has already shown he can make the leap from one division to the next, having gone from a prolific campaign at League One with Peterborough to keep firing in the goals with the Bees in the Championship.

Speaking earlier last year, Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry said: "He's turned into a tremendous all-round footballer. It’s important to remember Ivan is not just an exceptional goal-scoring forward, he’s also an outstanding defender."

Toney himself has the confidence that he could be a Premier League-level centre-forward, saying back in November: "I’ve always liked Zlatan. I just love his confidence. Some people see it as arrogance but you must be like that to succeed. I’m similar to Zlatan in both my confidence and the way I play. When he wants to do something, he just does it. I have some of that in my game and personality. And I believe I’ll be a Premier League striker."

[snack-amp-story url="https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-aston-villa-transfer-rumours-and-news-copy-copy" title="Latest Aston Villa transfer rumours and news"]

With Watkins having played every single minute in the top flight this season, Toney's arrival would give Smith that dream of either starting the pair together, or simply offering him a meaningful option off the bench.

Meanwhile, Villa should swoop for this "unstoppable" Premier League star...