A case of style and substance for Cairney

TOM CAIRNEY could hardly contain his excitement at a promotion target finally reached after so much heartache.

Fulham, renowned for their ability to dominate possession, failed in the Championship play-offs last season when they were beaten in the semi-finals.

This time captain Cairney’s winner against Villa took his side back into the dreamland of the Premier League.

“No one remembers nice football, or that they were a good side. No one says that because people only remember winners,” said Cairney. “When ❑

WINGER Ryan we went out for

Sessegnon, who the start, we said that ‘Wembley has been linked with the only remembers big six in the Premier winners’. League, is set to stay

“We had to win, at Fulham. Manager our football will Slavisa Jokanovic said: only get credit “He is really happy because we have where he is now. He got promoted. wants to stay with us.” If we had lost nobody would have about us.”

It was Cairney’s first-half strike that delivered glory in a match where full-back Denis Odoi was sent off 20 minutes from time.

“I just had a feeling that Villa wouldn’t score. Even with 10 men I just thought it was going to be our day,” said Cairney. “We had to be streetwise to win it, though. We were facing a team who were bigger than us and a little more physical, but to a man we were outstanding.

“It means everything to us, we had a two-year plan and talked for promotion will be around £170million, loose change to millionaire owner Shad Khan.

They will strengthen at the heart of their defence and bring in another goalscorer, with manager Slavisa Jokanovic insisting: “We must push ourselves. We are going to a different level and must be ready. We still have to be more aggressive.”

Villa were left heartbroken and the defeat means Jack Grealish may have to be sold to balance the books.

Manager Steve Bruce admitted as much as Villa will not only rebuild their side, but face a near £50m wage bill next season.

And they will probably do so without 37-year-old captain John Terry, who was left ashen-faced by this defeat and is now out of contract. All he said was: “I’m too gutted to speak.”

Grealish, 22, already has his admirers and is priced at around £25m. Bruce said: “There will be speculation over Jack, and as for JT we will have discussions in the coming weeks to see what he wants.

“But for the time being I’m aching inside and the feeling is of utter disappointment for everybody.”

ASTON VILLA (4-1-4-1):