BOSS SMITH IS BATTLE READY
DEAN SMITH says he’ll have no problem rousing his players for a derby atwest Brom – with the memories of a brutal play-off battle still fresh.
Empty stadiums have diluted the feverish atmosphere usually generated by local dust-ups but Aston Villa’s boss believes the hangover from a bitter double-header in the Championship two years ago means both will be going for it this evening.
Villa eventually triumphed on penalties at The Hawthorns, followed by awembley victory over Derby County – but the recollections of that evening in the Black Country remain.
Smith said: “What’s helped us this week – and where we’ve been fortunate – is that quite a few of these players played in the play-off semi-finals against West Brom a couple of years ago. The atmosphere was absolutely electric in both stadiums.
“It was some night at
West Brom. But then it was atvilla Park.we kicked off at lunchtime and the place was absolutely bouncing.
“We received, shall we say, a ‘warm’ welcome but we managed to get through.
“Of course, it also helps that I’m from the area, so is Jack Grealish – we know about these rivalries and what it means.”
Smith is, however, becoming frustrated at Villa’s lack of potency in front of goal.
Their seven goals in the last eight outings without Grealish is a cause for concern.
He said: “We’ve probably struggled offensively since January.
“But that’s no excuse for us not finding our rhythm.”