Aston Villa have reached the playoffs for the second season running.
Conor Hourihane has revealed that Aston Villa’s squad has become stronger since they suffered a 2-0 defeat against West Brom in February, with competition now becoming fierce for starting places.
At that time, Dean Smith’s side looked down and out in their hopes of finishing in the top-six and securing a playoff spot. But they went on to win 10 games on the bounce and book their place in the playoff semi-finals.
Key first-team players such as Jack Grealish and Axel Tuanzebe returned from injury, whilst players like Kortney Hause grabbed their chance when Smith gave them an opportunity.
Villa will now meet Albion again this Saturday in the first leg of their play-off semi-final and Hourihane spoke about how things have changed since then.
“We are a different team to the one which lost here now,” Hourihane told AVFC. “We play some very good stuff and have some good players in our team.
“We feel we are a strong starting XI and bench. There are people fighting for places, left right and centre. Everyone is being kept on their toes. That only brings a good mentality to the side and we are different proposition now.”
Smith now has a selection headache because there are certain individuals who are in-form who may find themselves on the bench for this tie.
It is looking highly likely that John McGinn will partner Jack Grealish in the middle of the park, with Hourihane and Glenn Whelan fighting for that other place.
Added with that, Hause, who has played at left-back this term, will be looking to stake his claim for a starting birth either at centre-back or left-back.
Either way, Villa now have firepower both on the field of play and on the bench as they aim to reach Wembley for a second season running.
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