Speaking after Brentford's 4-2 defeat to Preston North End in the Championship on Sunday, boss Thomas Frank has admitted that whilst he hopes Aston Villa transfer target Said Benrahma will stay, he will wish him all the best if he does leave.

What's the word?

Reports in recent weeks and months have suggested that Benrahma has been one of Villa's targets in this summer transfer window, with Dean Smith's side already getting a deal done for the Algerian's former teammate at Brentford, Ollie Watkins.

The Villa new boy has since enjoyed a blistering start to life in the Midlands, scoring a perfect hat-trick against Liverpool in a 7-2 triumph in the Premier League at the weekend.

Now, Frank has been open about what the future holds for Benrahma, saying: "I hope that one of the best offensive players in the division stays with us, but if not then I wish him all the best."

Perfect chance for Lange

Even despite the whole fanfare of the transfer deadline being on Monday night, for deals directly between Premier League and EFL clubs, that is actually extended to October 16.

That, coupled with Frank's admission that he will give the £15k-a-week earning Benrahma his blessing if he does end up leaving, gives Johan Lange the perfect chance for Villa to nab another one of Brentford's star players.

Now whilst the Smith already has plenty of options out wide, including summer signing Bertrand Traore, surely the prospect of seeing Benrahma and Watkins reforming their partnership at Villa Park is too enticing to turn down?

Together, Benrahma and Watkins combined for a whopping 43 goals and 13 assists across all competitions last season, and whilst goals haven't exactly been a problem for Villa thus far - they did after all put seven past Liverpool - adding a game-changer like the Algerian could take them to another leve.