Aston Villa saw Glenn Whelan score against Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has hailed Glenn Whelan’s performance against Middlesbrough – and praised his impact on the training ground.
Villa travelled to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday evening in search of three points, having remarkably drawn 5-5 with Nottingham Forest just days earlier.
Villa turned in arguably their finest performance under Smith as they ran out 3-0 winners over Boro, with James Chester and Tammy Abraham scoring before Whelan added a third.
Smith’s men are just three points off the play-offs and making real progress, and you know things are going well when even Whelan is getting on the scoresheet.
The 34-year-old has never been much of a goalscorer, and Saturday’s goal now takes him to 26 goals in 559 club games; just about one in 22.
After the game, Smith spoke to the club’s official website, and hailed Whelan for his performance, but also for ‘setting the tempo in training’ and being a terrific leader.
Smith feels that Whelan is the key man in training, setting standards along with fellow holding midfielder Mile Jedinak, whilst adding that the man signed by predecessor Steve Bruce was disappointed not to play against Forest in midweek before returning to face Boro.
“I’m made up for Glenn. He sets the tempo in training – he’s terrific,” said Smith. “He sets standards around the training ground, along with Jedinak, and I’m so pleased for him. He was disappointed not to start in the week, because he was very good against Birmingham. But I’ve got the ability to rotate in that area of the pitch at the moment,” he added.
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