Ahmed Elmohamady insists Aston Villa will be back

Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Fulham at Wembley denied Villa a return to the Premier League and means they are facing a future of increasing financial uncertainty.

A number of players are expected to depart over the summer though full-back Elmohamady is hopeful the majority of this season’s unit can be kept together in order to challenge again next term.

“When you get in the play-offs, you are one step away from the Premier League,” he said. “Of course you have to get together again and go again next season. Hopefully we will be back next season.

“We have great supporters, behind us all the way. We will make sure next season we will do it for them.”

Elmohamady, who recovered from a hamstring injury in order to feature at Wembley, believes a failure to take chances cost Villa dear.

Tom Cairney’s 23rd-minute goal ultimately proved enough to steer Fulham to the Premier League as Villa, who were much improved in the second half, were unable to find a leveller.

Jack Grealish went close on three occasions, twice sending good chances off target and then being denied by Marcus Bettinelli after a mazy run.

“I thought we played really well in the second half and deserved at least a goal,” said Elmohamady. “We were unlucky and needed too many chances. They took their chance in the first half. They kept the ball well and made it difficult for us.

“We created four or five really good chances in the second half, really, really good chances to score.

“We have to take it on the chin, it is very disappointing.”

Defender James Chester, meanwhile, admitted the pain of Saturday’s defeat would ‘never leave’ him.

The Wales international, who got married yesterday just 24 hours after the match, posted a message on Instagram which read: “The disappointment of losing an occasion like yesterday will never leave.

“Life continues and today I get married to open a new chapter on mine. Thank you for your support again this season, you are a credit to this wonderful football club.”