It’s ref justice at the double

ASTON VILLA boss Dean Smith says Kortney Hause’s defensive displays can provide the foundation for their promotion push.

Hause had played only one league game in 18 months before a loan switch from Wolves in January.

But now there’s no stopping him as Villa burst into the play-off places.

His central defensive partnership with Tyrone Mings is looking rock solid, with Smith saying: “In the last week we have only conceded one goal in three games.

“Defensively we look very solid, which was our Achilles heel before.”

Hause puts his transformation from bit-part to key player down to John Terry.

Terry is defensive coach at Villa and Hause has been switched from his usual left side of central defence to right.

“John has been helping me a lot because he played on the opposite side, being right-footed and playing on the left,” said Hause.

“He has got us looking at the finer details in training, covering positions, making sure everyone is switched on.”

Villa, who were nine points adrift of Middlesbrough a month ago, are now sixth in the table and just a point behind them.

Anwar El Ghazi smashed Boro’s defensive wall in the 28th minute and Villa added John McGinn’s 18-yarder and sub Albert Adomah’s tap in.

Smith’s side are on a five-game unbeaten run with four wins in a row but Boro have suffered three defeats on the bounce.

Midfielder Jonny Howson said: “It is about holding your nerve. That can be the difference.

“Don’t allow the situation get to you.

“The international break has come at the right time for us to take a step back and regroup, ready to go for the last nine games.”