THE HAND OF ROD

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith has told his side to forget about revenge and get back to winning ways in today’s big local derby.

West Brom snatched a draw in the last minute at the Hawthorns in December when Jay Rodriguez bundled the ball in with his hand, but Smith says it’s no time for grudges.

The Villa boss said: “We played well at West Brom and should have had the win but we didn’t and that was out of our control.

“We go into each game trying to win it. I am not going to put any more importance on Albion than I did Brentford.”

Villa are still without star man Jack Grealish, who hasn’t played since picking up a shin injury in the reverse fixture in December, but Smith said he’s almost ready.

He added: “He has been doing a bit of running to build up his fitness. I aimed to put him on the bench (against Albion) but the doctor knocked it back.”