Nigel Spink: Cool heads are essential for Aston Villa

The European Cup-winning goalkeeper feels the match-up is too close to call and whichever team best holds their nerve over what promises to be two pulsating games will ultimately move on to the Wembley final.

Villa first host the Baggies in tomorrow’s first leg and Spink said: “The place is going to be absolutely rocking and everyone is going to be wound up to the hilt.

“I really think it will come down to who holds their nerve. Who can best control those emotions?

“All it needs is for a momentary lapse and someone to be sent off and it changes the whole dynamic of the tie.

“There are going to be tackles flying in left, right and centre and it doesn’t take much to cause a flashpoint. Players have got to use their heads step away from trouble.”

Spink, whose playing career included a 20-month spell at The Hawthorns during 1996 and 1997, previously described Villa’s 2-0 February home defeat to the Baggies as the ‘lowest of low points’.

But Dean Smith’s men subsequently won 10 of their remaining 13 fixtures to barge their way into the play-offs, helped in no small part by the return from injury of Jack Grealish.

Spink said: “I always felt they had a chance if they got Grealish back.

“I’m still not entirely sure he is a Premier League player. I still think he would need to prove that on a week-to-week basis.

“But there is no question he is currently the best midfielder in the Championship. He takes the pressure off his team-mates and brings the whole team into play. I would say 80 per cent of Villa’s resurgence can be put down to him.”

He continued: “I really cannot wait for Saturday. We have seen some great football this week at the sharp end of the Champions League. It has really whetted the appetite for this derby clash.”