Andreas Weimann and Watford manager Malky Mackay have both said they would like the Aston Villa striker to return to Vicarage Road next season.

The likeable Weimann enjoyed a positive loan spell with the Hornets last season and if Villa decide the striker could go back out on loan once again, then Mackay and the player himself would welcome a second spell at the club.

Speaking recently, Mackay said: “Andi was fantastic from the minute he arrived at the club. Obviously he is from a Premier League club, he is only 19 and he is Austrian so with all those different factors, to immediately adapt to another group of players shows the character of the boy.

“He became an immensely popular character at the club and I think whether it was coming off the bench or if he started, he really contributed for us in terms of his whole game.

“Like anything, when players go back to their clubs they are reassessed by their own clubs and we can’t control what happens but if he becomes available again, I would certainly like to have him back.

“And I know he certainly enjoyed his time at the club, at the training ground and with the players.

“I would certainly go back and ask for him again should he become available.”

And Weimann would also welcome a return to Hertfordshire if he is unable to break into the Villa first team.

Speaking exclusively to the Watford Observer this week, Weimann said: “I would definitely like to come back. I want to play for Aston Villa in the Premier League, that is my first target.

“But if I am not going to have the chance to play then I would definitely want to go out on loan again and would definitely like to come back there [Watford].”

Weimann made ten starts and nine substitute appearances during his time with the Hornets, scoring four goals.

His outstanding work rate helped the Vicarage Road crowd warm to the Austria Under-21 international and he was hugely popular in the dressing room.

“I enjoyed my time at Watford so much, it was a brilliant time,” Weimann said.

“It was my first loan so it was really important to me how the lads helped me fit in straight away and then I quickly became one of them.”

Weimann was speaking on Tuesday afternoon when former strike partner Danny Graham agreed a move to Swansea City.

The 19-year-old believes he benefited greatly from playing alongside Graham and admits his departure will be a big loss to the Hornets.

“Obviously Danny is a great player,” Weimann said, “He scored 27 goals last season which tells how good a player he is.

“It was great to get to watch him in training and trying to learn from him.

“Obviously last season he was a crucial player for Watford and he will be missed but if Watford play the football they did this season they will be alright.”

It is set to be a busy summer for Weimann.

A week after the Championship season had finished, he flew out to the Hong Kong International Soccer Sevens tournament, where he was Villa’s top scorer.

He was on a training camp in Marbella with the Austria Under-20s when he spoke to the Watford Observer this week.

Although he is now on holiday, he looks set to feature for his country in this summer’s Under-20 World Cup.

Participation in the tournament would severely disrupt his pre-season as it starts late July and continues into mid-August but he is keen to face some of the world’s rising stars.

“If I am allowed to go then I think it will be a great experience,” Weimann said. “We are in the same group as Brazil so I would love to play against them.”