The Villa Match Zone

“The Monkeys Off Our Back” – Smith Delighted With Villa Win Despite Jack Blow

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Aston Villa welcomed fellow Play-Off promotion hopefuls Bristol City to Villa Park for today’s Championship clash, and as it turned out, it wasn’t just Tyrone Mings we were missing with his one game suspension, Jack Grealish was also sidelined in the buildup to the game with illness.

With seven wins on the spin though, we were gunning for eight for the first time since April 1975 and the team duly obligated.

After a goalless first 45 where advantage should’ve been ours (despite their disallowed goal), we were better in gear in the second period and Tammy Abraham converted from the penalty spot in the 55th minute to give us the advantage.

Conor Hourihane doubled that lead in minute 66, and although Bristol City got on the scoresheet with 15 minutes remaining, it was a game we controlled pretty much from start to finish.

2-1 was how it finished as we make it eight wins on the trot.

Speaking to the BBC following the fulltime whistle, head coach Dean Smith explained.

“I thought the result was fully deserved. The only thing missing was we should’ve scored far more goals. Because we had some great chances, we had one of those days where the goalkeeper had a great match, we’ve missed some big chances today, our play at times was exceptional. Kodija’s gone to have a scan. Jack’s just ill, he had a fever. When I spoke to him this morning he was devastated. He couldn’t even go upstairs to take a shower. Hopefully the monkeys off our back now, we’ve got a win without Jack Grealish in the team.”

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