Am I the only one who thinks pushing wouldn't be a terrible move?

Villain checked preflop, and then called a raise...and then also smooth called the flop. I don't think he has AQ. He COULD have an 8...but I think alot of the time an 8 would raise raise the flop. Or at least bet out.

Then an ace hits...and he bets. Due to there being no raise preflop or on the flop, I can't give him credit for AQ or A8. Maybe he has a weak ace, maybe he has some kind of draw now with the ace. MAYBE he has AK, but the preflop limp might suggest he doesn't.

The more i look at it, it seems he's trying to use the Ace as a scare card...I push, expecting many hands to fold. If he calls, there's a good chance at a chop, and even if he's ahead, you have outs unless he holds A8 or Q8.

However, if you don't like pushing, then I'd fold.