TAYL OF VILLA DRIVE GUIDING THEM TO PREM
NEIL TAYLOR says Aston Villa could have struck fear in the Championship as they try to book their Premier League ticket.
Villa’s record 10-match winning streak has seen them blitz their way into a play-off spot, and Dean Smith’s side can now go into what looked like a nightmare last two matches against Leeds United and table-toppers Norwich without having to worry.
Monday’s 1-0 win over Millwall guaranteed a top-six place for a side 14th in the table and treading water just a couple of months ago.
Villa have taken an astonishing 30 points from 30 since Smith ripped into his underachieving players at half-time in the 1-1 draw at Stoke on February 23.
Wales defender Taylor believes they can now emulate Fulham, who made a late run into the Premier League – beating Villa in the play-off final.
And he reckons Villa’s rich vein of form makes them the side no one will fancy meeting.
“I am sure if we went into a game with a team who have won 10 games in a row, you would fear them a little bit because you know what they are capable of,” said Taylor.
“People know what we are capable of. I suppose it is a bit like Fulham last season. That momentum going into the play-offs can be quite big.
“It is a great feeling at the moment. I always feel when we step on the pitch we can win the game.” THREE Leeds players have been named in the PFA Championship team of the season – the same as Norwich – despite blowing automatic promotion over Easter.
Finland forward Teemu Pukki (above), who has scored 28 goals, is joined by fellow Canaries Max Aarons and Jamal Lewis.
Leeds look set for the play-offs, but Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson and Pablo Hernandez were voted into the PFA XI before defeats to Wigan and Brentford.