Terry’s battle cry ahead of play-off showdown

“WE have got to do it.” That is John Terry’s no-nonsense message to Villa as they embark on their Championship play-off mission.

Terry set himself the goal of winning promotion when he stepped down a division to join Villa last summer following a glittering career with Chelsea.

Villa have failed in their main objective of a top-two finish, but the experienced skipper will not allow his team-mates to feel sorry for themselves.

Instead he is determined to crank up morale ahead of the play-off semi-finals on May 12 and 15.

In a warning to the club’s potential play-off opponents, Terry spoke of the togetherness and quality within Steve Bruce’s squad, who will finish the regular season in fourth.

The 37-year-old defender said: “We have got to do it.

“Aston Villa’s a massive club and deserves to be in the Premier League, no doubt about that.

“That was the ambition at the start of the season to be in the Premier League and that’s not changed since we started. So with the quality we have and a little bit of luck, let’s hope that’s what we achieve.

“The togetherness within the group has been excellent, it’s been pivotal to our success this season.

“Unfortunately, we’ve not gone up automatically, which was the target, but we are where we are in the play-offs and we go on fighting.”

Terry has been impressed by the backing Villa have received from the faithful and urged them to give Bruce’s team another big push towards promotion.

“The support’s been superb,” he added. “I think as the season’s gone on, the crowds have increased, the supporters have got behind the lads and we are where we are today.

“Another few games left in the play-offs and we need everyone behind us. “The lads have been superb as well.” Fifth-placed Middlesbrough, who are away at Ipswich Town on Sunday, are Villa’s likely opponents in the semi-final unless Derby County, who host Barnsley, bring about a last-day turnaround.