What a day it was for Aston Villa yesterday. The Villains flocked in from Birmingham and filled Wembley with claret and blue ahead of their play-off final clash with Derby. Dean Smith’s side got the job done, winning 2-1, and it was all made possible by going in with the right approach, as Smith named the fan’s favoured starting eleven.
Our 2019 Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final line-up.
Come on you Villa boys!! #AVFC pic.twitter.com/Gu7clD9E4H
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) 27 May 2019
The win over Frank Lampard’s Derby was a memorable one, and it’s the perfect remedy for banishing the Villains’ demons from last season’s play-off final defeat at the hands of Fulham. All that the Villa Park faithful need now is to make some headway in the transfer window and ensure they stay in the top flight, however, Smith cannot afford to break up the squad that won promotion too much.
There were very few, if any, complaints when the lineup for the clash was announced. Whilst it may have been tempting to throw some surprises into the mix, as Frank Lampard did, Smith stuck to his guns and got the job done. It couldn’t have been a better day for the 36,000 travelling supporters in London, and now they have the promise of Premier League football next season to look forward to.
You can see what the Villains made of their starting lineup for the clash here:
What I would have chosen, phew #utv
— Scott (@Chicaned02) 27 May 2019
Perfect x
— Dan (@DanBennett_) May 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/cheskkkk/status/1132995769806544899
As predicted. Lets do this
— Stephen O’ Leary (@stephenoleary89) 27 May 2019
Strong line up…come on you boys
— Emma Smith (@emski1971) May 27, 2019
Great line up. Let’s do this.
— Sarah Skilton (@AdventureAcces) 27 May 2019
The Villains were delighted to go in against Derby with such a strong side and will hope that they can keep most of the squad together in the top flight.
