Abraham ‘has no inclination to go back to Chelsea’

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believes on-loan striker Tammy Abraham wants to stay with the club and will not be recalled by Chelsea.

The 21-year-old scored both goals in the 2-2 home Championship draw against rapidly improving QPR.

Reports have claimed that Abraham wants to play Premier League football and that a number of top-flight clubs are keen to take him on loan this month.

But Smith said: “Tammy has shown no inclination to go back to Chelsea.

“We are very happy with the way Tammy is developing as a player and as a person. He is very happy and you can see the connection he has the supporters, the players and staff.

“Chelsea seem very happy as he developing as a player and scoring goals in the Championship. For all three parties it is a win, win, win.

“So I would be amazed if anything happened to prevent him playing for Villa. But it is not in my control. If Chelsea decide to recall him it is up to them.

“In the conversations I’ve had with him he is enjoying himself at Villa and is developing as a player.”

Following a quiet start, Abraham took his tally to 10 goals in the last 11 home games.

He opened the scoring after 21 minutes before spirited QPR equalised through Luke Freeman just before half-time.

Ebere Eze gave the visitors a 2-1 lead, only for Abraham to come to Villa’s rescue with a 76th-minute equaliser.

Smith admitted: “It was frustrating as we know it was a game we should have won. After Abraham’s first goal we fell away when we should have capitalised upon it.

“We lacked a bit of quality although the players showed a lot of character. It was a game which got away from us when we should have won – at 1-0 we should have kept the pressure on Rangers.

“Probably the four games in 10 days took their toll on key players like John McGinn and Conor Hourihane. Their quality was not as good as it usually is.”