Aston Villa has $282m to play for

WHEN Aston Villa takes on Fulham tomorrow in the Championship playoff final, it has the chance to return to the Premier League and earn a $282 million payday.

And according to one Villa star, the words of Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak after a crucial semi-final win are incredibly important to the team’s chances of victory.

Shot stopper and Manchester United loanee Sam Johnstone has revealed that following a 0-0 home draw with Middlesbrough that secured passage to the final, Jedinak stood up in the dressing room and addressed his teammates.

The Socceroos captain boomed: “We’ve done nothing yet. Let’s make this count in the final.”

Johnstone went on to praise the bearded enforcer, adding that his goal in the first leg ultimately earned their place in the decider.

“He’s been fantastic for us all season,” Johnstone told Aston Villa’s official website.

“We’ve had a great squad who have all played their part in getting us to Wembley.

“But on Saturday and Tuesday, Mile was massive, simple as that.”