Ahead of Sunday’s derby day battle against Birmingham City, Aston Villa manager Dean Smith said what his final message to the players will be before they set foot on the hallow turf of Villa Park for the last time ahead of the game.
He told Aston Villa’s Youtube channel that he is looking for ‘performance and emotional control’, as he added they have shown it already this season, but it will be very important in the derby to allow them to keep calm.
Both teams are hovering around mid-table, both are on 24 points with Villa in 11th and Birmingham in 12th respectively. A win for either side with results going in their favour could take them to eighth by the end of the game, or seventh if one of the sides really took a hammering.
Q: What will be your final message to the players before they head out for the game on Sunday?
A: …
Interview in full https://t.co/3XsFAifg30#ThursdayThoughts #AVFC pic.twitter.com/ccCR4QmSeT
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) November 22, 2018
Unsurprisingly, Smith’s comments have stimulated quite a response from plenty of Aston Villa fans on Twitter, with many impressed as to how Smith is so assured in what he is talking about…
Talks brilliantly.
— Glen Gowen (@gowen_glen) November 22, 2018
God it’s exciting we have a game plan
— red baron avfc (@RedBaronAVFC) November 22, 2018
He really is exactly what I’m after in a manager. Give that man a transfer window.
— The Villa Decree 🇱🇻🇫🇲🇱🇻🇫🇲 (@TheVillaDecree) November 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/lamb_pants/status/1065711268437377024
One fan made the comparison with ex-boss Steve Bruce, who was replaced by Smith earlier this season…
https://twitter.com/TwinCam103B/status/1065685881753927680
While another fan is keen for Smith to stay for the foreseeable future to say the least…
https://twitter.com/KhanSnoozey/status/1065713009388068866
Aston Villa fans… what do you think? Let us know!
