No Gayle is good for us
DEAN SMITH believes Dwight Gayle’s ban has given Aston Villa a major boost ahead of the derby clash with West Brom.
Villa are aiming to revive their play-off hopes following an added-time defeat at Brentford on Wednesday.
And Smith is anxious his side make the most of Gayle’s absence after the Baggies forward was handed a retrospective two-match ban for diving to win a penalty against Nottingham Forest.
The Villa manager said: “Dwight Gayle is a big loss. Most of their goals have come from him and Jay Rodriguez. We have to take advantage of that.
“This is the perfect chance to bounce back. It’s a big game because it’s a local derby – it’s a big game because it’s the next game in the Championship and another chance to get three points. We had the disappointment of the last minute goal on Wednesday and now we can deal with it straight away by putting in a good performance and getting a good result.”
Villa lie seven points off sixth place and desperately need a win to fire up their season.
Smith said: “There has been a sense of urgency since the moment I came in.
“You will always get that sense of urgency when it’s the next game.
“We’re not in a great run of results at the moment and we want to put it right to give our supporters something to shout about again.”
West Brom lie fourth, six points adrift of second spot, and Rodriguez said: “Both teams will be going full throttle wanting that win. We are right up for it.”