Aston Villa will be preparing for the final game of the regular season when they host Norwich City on Sunday.
Paul Merson has expressed his worry that Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Tyrone Mings won’t be at Aston Villa next season if they don’t earn promotion.
The former Premier League player also warned Dean Smith’s side about the firepower their potential playoff semi-final opponents have at their disposal.
At this moment in time, Villa will face off against West Brom over two legs, with Leeds United taking on Derby County – but all of that could still change with the regular season yet to conclude.
Speaking on the Debate on Sky Sports Premier League (29/04/2019 at 10:55 pm), Merson spoke about his former club as they head into the playoffs.
“As a Villa man, I rather play West Brom at Wembley in one game than two because West Brom have got firepower to hurt you over two games,” Merson told the Debate. “Even though Villa are on such a good run that’s another thing that frightens me.
“It’s the best thing in the world if you can get up in the final [and win]. And it’s the worst if you don’t. And if you don’t, you look at Villa. Jack Grealish is not going to be there next year, you look at McGinn who has had a great season and Mings who looks head and shoulders [above anyone else] in that league. Fingers crossed for Villa.”
There is no doubt that there will be drama and chaos in the playoffs. The winner will join champions-elect Norwich City and Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United in the Premier League.
Out of the teams currently in the playoff places, there is no doubt that Leeds have been the most consistent, but back-to-back defeats over Easter ended their chances of automatic promotion.
Villa and West Brom have a lot of firepower in their ranks and it won’t be a surprise to see both of their legs full of goals and talking points.
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