Dean Smith shares half-time team-talk to his Aston Villa side last night

Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa extended their winning sequence to seven games in a row last night.

Dean Smith has told Aston Villa’s official Twitter account that he encouraged his side to be positive in the second half of their match against Rotherham United at half-time.

Villa went into the break against Rotherham trailing 1-0 and they were down to ten men in the contest, following Tyrone Mings’ sending off.

However, Smith still brought on Jonathan Kodjia and ensured Villa had two strikers on the pitch for the second-half.

The change worked brilliantly, with Villa scoring two quick fire goals at the start of the second period.

And Smith said: “The message to the players was that we went 4-3-2. There was a lot in midfield and I knew they could cover the ground and carry the ball and play in the opposite half.

“I thought five minutes before half-time that I’m going to put Kodj up front and go play in their half.”

Mings’ red-card also caused Mile Jedinak to come on for Villa, and the experienced Australian was rock solid at the back.

Jedinak’s game time has been reduced since Smith took charge, but his display last night was highly impressive.

“I spoke to him before the game and told him that if there was a defensive substitution he was the first one going on tonight,” Smith revealed. “He put in a really strong performance.”

The Villans have now won their last seven matches on the spin to strengthen their spot in the play offs.

Villa are next in action at the weekend, when they take on Bristol City.