Aston Villa’s hopes of earning automatic promotion were finally dashed yesterday.
Aston Villa assistant manager Colin Calderwood spoke to reporters after his side’s 1-1 draw with Derby County yesterday, and delivered words of caution for his players ahead of the play-offs next month, as quoted by the Express & Star.
The Villans will now almost certainly face Middlesbrough in the play-offs, unless the Teessiders lose heavily to Ipswich Town and Derby County beat Barnsley comfortably on the last day of the season.
Whilst there have definitely been improvements at Villa Park this season, it could be argued that Steve Bruce’s side have still underachieved, and nothing less than promotion back to the Premier League will be considered as a successful campaign.
Calderwood spoke to reporters after his side’s draw with the Rams yesterday, and warned his players that they must be better over the next few weeks, if they are to seal promotion back to the top flight, as quoted by the Express & Star:
“The pleasing thing was our tempo and how we were able to look powerful in the second half. You have to add a note of caution in there, though. Derby played in midweek (against Cardiff) and really had to chase that game. There must be some effect in that. We have got to be aware of that and must be aware that as good as it was, we have to be a bit better.”
Villa still have a game against Millwall to take care of next weekend, and it will be vital for them to win the match, and subsequently head into the play-offs in good form and full of confidence.
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