Dean Smith: Relax and enjoy Aston Villa run-in

Villa enter the final seven games of the season right in the thick of the play-off race, after reeling off five straight wins.

On Saturday, they will aim to continue their surge at Sheffield Wednesday, who are unbeaten under Smith’s predecessor Steve Bruce.

Another huge week then continues with a trip to struggling Rotherham, before a showdown with fellow contenders Bristol City on Saturday week.

But with the stakes only getting higher, Smith

said: “When you go into any game at this stage of the season and you are in the top six, it is a pressure game.

“But watching the lads training and playing, it doesn’t seem like there is a lot of pressure on them. It seems like they are enjoying their football again. That is good for me.

“I don’t think you want to be packed with adrenaline going into these games. You want to be thinking clearly and going in relaxed. They look like they are doing that and enjoying their football.”

Villa are heading into the run-in looking their healthiest for several months, with several key players having now returned from injury lay-offs.

Tommy Elphick, Alan Hutton and James Chester remain sidelined, though Smith is hopeful all three could be back before the end of the campaign.

Hutton, who suffered an ankle injury during February’s 1-1 draw at Stoke, is currently closest to a return.

Club captain Chester is battling to overcome a knee injury which has kept him out of action since late January.