SM
Wolves vs. Forest: 18 hrs 14 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Dean Smith wants Aston Villa to increase pressure on relegation rivals

:Headline: Dean Smith wants Aston Villa to increase pressure on relegation rivals: ID:406611: from db_amp
Villa are four points from safety with three games left.

Dean Smith has called on Aston Villa to ramp up the pressure on their relegation rivals.

Sunday's 2-0 win over Crystal Palace breathed fresh life into Villa's survival bid and left them four points from safety ahead of Thursday's trip to Everton.

It was their first win since January and came after Watford and West Ham had won to initially leave Villa seven points from 17th spot.

The Hornets and the Hammers meet on Friday and head coach Smith is eager to see his side take advantage and close the gap.

He said: "I'm feeling the same as before the Crystal Palace game because not a lot has changed. We needed to win because the teams around us had won their games.

"We managed to get that win and it will give everybody a lift, but we're still in the same position. We can go and get some scoreboard pressure on Watford and West Ham who play the following evening.

"We've got to make sure we concentrate on our own game and put in a good performance. We certainly won't get complacent after one win."

Smith is likely to be without Kortney Hause (rib) and Neil Taylor (hamstring), while Danny Drinkwater is out having not trained this week following a knock.

Bjorn Engels will not play again this season as he continues to battle an Achilles problem, while Wesley and Tom Heaton remain sidelined with long-term knee injuries.

Everton were outclassed by Wolves in their 3-0 defeat at Molineux on Sunday, leading boss Carlo Ancelotti to criticise their attitude.

And Smith is expecting a reaction from the Toffees at Goodison Park.

"It will be a tough game. They've got players who can hurt anyone – Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison," he told a press conference.

"They've got a manager who won't be accepting after the Wolves performance and result and they'll come out fighting.

"It looks like they've got some of their injured players back with Mason Holgate and Andre Gomes, who cost more than our record signing. That just shows that they are a very well-established team."

amp_article__406611 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-07-15 11:24:22:
html db last update - 2020-07-15 11:24:22 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Dean Smith

Click here for more stories about Aston Villa

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool19144147192846
2Arsenal20117239182140
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea20106439241536
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2010463627934
7Bournemouth209653023733
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham207943027330
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
11Brentford208393835327
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham206592439-1523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .