Tony Xia rallies Aston Villa fans ahead of crucial month

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Aston Villa still stand a chance of automatic promotion – though the play-offs are much more likely.

Aston Villa owner Tony Xia has told the club’s website that this season has been a “rough ride” but has rallied the tropps ahead of what is a crucial month in the Championship.

Steve Bruce has guided his Villa side to fourth in the Championship table with two games still to play, as they remain four points behind second-placed Cardiff City. Fulham sit three in front on 85.

They are still within a shout of gaining automatic promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking, but it looks increasingly unlikely as Neil Warnock continues to get the best out of his Cardiff side.

With the play-offs looming for promotion expert Bruce and Villa, Xia called on the fans to give his side an extra gear as they look to return to the Premier League for the first time since their relegation in 2015-16.

“This season has been a rough ride,” Xia said. “It’s been nearly two years since I became the chairman of this great club and whether it’s in the management side or the whole general atmosphere, there have always been tough challenges.

“The coming month is going to be a crucial month for everyone, especially our managing teams and squad. Don’t forget that you are not the only ones on this battlefield. Every single team-mate, coach, staff, as well as your family members, friends, and every single Villa fan is going to support you unconditionally.

“As long as we keep up our momentum and stay focused on our goal, surely the final victory will belong to us.”

If the Championship table remains as it is, then Villa will enter the play-offs alongside third-placed Fulham, Middlesbrough and surprise package Millwall. However, the latter sit only one point above seventh-placed Derby, who have a game in hand.

Villa would face Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough in a match that would see experienced Premier League managers lock horns. The Villans will need the likes of Albert Adomah, Robert Snodgrass and Jonathan Kodjia all firing.