Aston Villa are back in the Premier League after beating Derby County on Monday.
Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has told the club’s official website that he wants to credit Steve Bruce with playing a huge part in the club’s promotion.
Villa made it to the playoff final having beaten West Bromwich Albion in the semi-finals, and were faced with taking on Derby County – a year since losing in the final to Fulham.
Anwar El Ghazi put Villa in front from an Ahmed Elmohamady cross, and John McGinn bundled home the second after the break to put Villa 2-0 up.
Jack Marriott pulled one back for Derby, but Villa managed to see the game out and claim a 2-1 win, sealing a return to the Premier League after three years away.
With Smith leading the team and Jack Grealish playing a key role, boyhood Villa fans have been hugely important in the promotion – but Smith hasn’t forgotten his predecessor.
Smith replaced Steve Bruce back in October, and has credited the now-Sheffield Wednesday manager with playing a huge part in Villa’s promotion having laid the foundations.
Smith noted that goalscorers El Ghazi and McGinn were both signed by Bruce, so he deserves credit just as much as anyone else, even if Bruce’s Villa exit ended somewhat sourly.
“Last season was very tough for everyone who went through it,” said Smith. “Unfortunately Steve Bruce lost the job – and then they asked me to come and take on the job. They were Steve’s signings who scored the goals today so credit to him as well. The players and owners deserve what they are going to get,” he added.
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