Express & Star

Anwar El Ghazi: Aston Villa have fear factor

Wing ace Anwar El Ghazi reckons Villa’s blistering form has begun to put the frighteners on their opponents.

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Dean Smith’s men have reeled off four straight wins, scoring 11 goals in the process, to surge back into the Championship top six.

That haul has included seven without reply in home wins over Derby and Middlesbrough and El Ghazi believes a fear factor has been established at Villa Park.

Blackburn are the next team to visit B6 on Saturday week and El Ghazi said: “Everyone is scared of us at the moment at Villa Park. There’s a good atmosphere in the team and in training.

“The way we work together, you can feel it. When you win games, you want to go straight to the next game.”

He continued: “The coach told us at a meeting before Saturday’s game the fans love us right now because we are playing well and giving everything.

“He said to us if we have the fans behind us in every game, the opposing teams will become scared of us.”

Villa, who have four home league games remaining, are poised for another healthy crowd with the club once again opening the upper tier of the Trinity Road Stand.

Striker Tammy Abraham sat out training with England Under-21s yesterday as he continues to be monitored for a calf injury sustained in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Boro.

Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd remained hopeful Abraham, who has scored 21 goals for Villa while on loan from Chelsea this season, would still be able to play a part in tonight’s friendly with Poland at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate ground.