'He is one to watch'

Leroy Fer admits Tammy Abraham will be one to watch at Aston Villa this weekend as Swansea City bid to avoid another unhappy reunion.

A third of the goals the Swans have conceded in the Championship this season have been scored by Liberty old boys.

Pablo Hernandez netted in the 2-2 draw with Leeds in August, then Joe Allen’s strike saw Stoke claim the points against the Swans in September.

Swans youth product Gwion Edwards upset his old club last time out as he found the target in Ipswich’s 3-2 victory in SA1.

This season’s trio of familiar foes have added to an already lengthy list of ex-Swans who have netted against their old employers in recent years.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jack Cork and Fernando Llorente all did it last season as they followed in the footsteps of players like Wilfried Bony, Andre Ayew and Danny Graham.

And Fer says the Swans must be on their guard as they look to ensure Abraham does not join the club when Graham Potter’s men go to Villa Park on Saturday.

Abraham, who scored eight times in 39 Swans appearances while on loan from Chelsea last season, has netted three goals in six games for Villa since signing for them on another loan deal.

“Tammy is a talented player who did well here and he will be one to watch of course,” Fer said.

“He is a good finisher, he is mobile, he is tall and he has good feet. He can score goals – he is a top striker who can be a threat.

“We have to be sharp if we are going to stop him, although we have to remember they have a lot of other good players too.”

Abraham is not the only ex-Swan who could face Potter’s side this weekend, with Neil Taylor in contention to line up against the club he represented for seven years.

Both players started for Villa last time out, when a 2-1 defeat at Millwall made it one win in 11 games for last season’s losing play-off finalists.

Villa have since appointed Dean Smith as their new manager, meaning the Swans’ visit to Birmingham represents the start of a new era for their hosts.

“It will be a tough game – they are a big opponent,” Fer added.

“They almost got promoted last season and I am sure they want to get to the Premier League this year.

“They have some big players with lots of experience and they are a tough team.

“But if we play the game we want to play, we believe we will have a chance against anyone. That’s what we have to try to do.”