Aston Villa manager Dean Smith celebrates
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith celebrates

Sky Bet Championship play-off final: Dean Smith says Aston Villa v Derby in richest game in football should be first up at Wembley


Aston Villa boss Dean Smith says the Sky Bet Championship play-off final should be played first and not last over the weekend at Wembley.

Villa face Derby in their promotion showdown at Wembley on Monday, after the Sky Bet League One and Two play-off finals.

Tranmere face Newport on Saturday before Charlton and Sunderland play for the right to return to the Championship on Sunday.

The winner of Monday's match will net £170 million even if they finish bottom of the Premier League next season and Smith feels it deserves to be first.

He said: "It's a long time to wait. It's a little bit wrong in my opinion that - given the prize which is on offer - and we're the third game on at Wembley over the weekend.

"But the players are really excited and looking forward to the game now.

"We're confident without being over-confident. There's been no change in their attitude or application in training.

"There's a tightness about the group and a lot of banter goes on within the group. But when they get down to work they work very hard. They're calm but looking forward to it."

Sporting Life's Sky Bet Championship final guide for Aston Villa v Derby
Sporting Life's Sky Bet Championship final guide for Aston Villa v Derby

Villa's slow first-half performance against Fulham in last year's final contributed to their heartbreaking 1-0 defeat, but Smith feels they will avoid a similar problem this time.

He said: "What we've got that can help us is, for the last 15 or 16 games, we've been playing must-win games. Each game we've taken in isolation and we've been on an unbelievable run.

"The players are the first to have won 10 games on the bounce at this club and they'll always be history makers.

"They've got that on their side already. We've beaten West Brom who finished above us and the right team went through."

Only Orjan Nyland is missing for Villa, with the goalkeeper sidelined since January with a torn Achilles.

(video no longer available)

Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC

Related football links

Like what you've read?

MOST READ FOOTBALL

Sporting Life
Join for free!
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Race Replays
My stable horse tracker
giftOffers and prize draws
newsExclusive content

FOOTBALL TIPS

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo