Although Aston Villa's current form can largely be credited to their brilliant attacking displays, the consistency and calmness of Kortney Hause and Tyrone Mings as centre-backs can also not be overlooked. How amazing does that sound, Villa fans? A good defence, at long last. 

Indeed, it seems like ever since manager Dean Smith started playing to two together as a pairing, Villa have thrived, especially in defence, which was undoubtedly the worst aspect of their game earlier on in the season.

The 23-year-old Hause joined Villa at the beginning of the year on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers and had to patiently wait for his chance to get the nod in Smith's starting lineup. And, having played a couple of games at left-back for the Villans, Hause has now been exceptional at centre-back for the club and together with Mings has offered Villa a good defensive platform to play from.

The way they work together and apply pressure on opposition attackers have been something Smith has been dying to see from his Villa team.

They both work hard in their positioning as defenders and try to close space down as quickly as possible.

Mings, who is also just on a temporary deal at Villa Park from Bournemouth, has played an equally important role as Hause and has definitely used his Premier League experience to help Villa add some stability to their back-four.

Smith was surely eager to get such a type of player in his team, who could remain calm under pressure and adapt to certain situations in a match to help the team overcome pressure. It is, therefore, no real surprise that the manager has played Mings the full 90 minutes in every match he has been at Villa.

This, however, is also part of the problem. There is the potential that neither are with the club next season and, while their run of good form is hugely promising right now, the future is certainly uncertain.

The old adage says form is temporary, class is permanent. For Aston Villa, it might not work that way.

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