Aston Villa boss Dean Smith: The only team who can stop us, is us
Dean Smith has issued a rallying cry as Villa look to continue their charge up the Championship, declaring: “The only team that can stop us, is us.”
Villa head to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday to face former boss Steve Bruce, seeking to extend a run of five straight wins which has seen them surge into the top six.
Wednesday are among a number of other contenders still very much in the mix, but Smith – who has been delighted by recent performances – wants his team to focus on themselves.
“The only thing that can stop us is ourselves really,” Smith told the club's official TV channel. “If we’re right every game, we will be absolutely fine. We need to keep it going.”
Smith continued: “It is a vibrant place at the moment. There is a spring in people’s step.
“We are winning games but playing well, too. The performance levels have been right up there and that is the important thing.
“We are also playing some really entertaining football as well and we need to continue that.”
The boss is confident his players will be able to handle the pressure as the race heats up over the final seven games.
He said: “You look at the attendances, the size of the club, the players understand the expectancy.
“They know there is pressure on every game because of the following we get away from home and at home.
“They have to learn to live with that. I remember Alex Ferguson saying when he went and looked at players, he looked for those he thought could play in front of 76,000 fans.
“We are the same. We have to deal with the expectations.”
Bruce, who was replaced by Smith in the Villa hotseat after being sacked last October, is yet to taste defeat since taking charge at Hillsborough in February.
The Owls have won five and drawn six of his 11 games in charge and sit five places but only four points behind sixth-placed Villa in the table.
Smith said: “Steve has gone in there and they are unbeaten. They also have players coming back from injury.
“You can see they are very organised. They have a big support. I played there for part of my career and was captain there. I know how important that support can be.
“It is going to be a challenge but one we are looking forward to.”
