Villa Park will be ‘rocking’ for play-off derby with West Brom, says Dean Smith

10 May 2019 09:30
• West Brom-born Smith is a lifelong Aston Villa fan• Villa manager says their opponents are favouritesAs a lifelong Aston Villa supporter Dean Smith knows his history. “I’m not sure about that,” the Villa manager replied when asked whether Saturday’s play-off first leg against West Brom is the biggest ever game between these two West Midlands rivals.“I remember being there in 1981 when there was 47,998 [in the stadium] and Brendon Batson’s back-pass stopped in a pool of water and Peter Withe slots one home. Albion might have been third or fourth at the time and Villa went on to win the title, so perhaps that game was bigger.” Related: Leeds will not kick the ball out if Derby player injured in play-off, says Bielsa Related: Fikayo Tomori: ‘Chelsea’s loanees want the same thing but I’m focused on Derby’ Continue readingreadfullarticle

Source: TheGuardian