Time to kick on

Another great performance and win last weekend against Blackburn take Villa to five wins in a row. We have got ourselves back in contention for a playoff position and we must not take our foot off the gas.

The belief is there that we can still make the playoffs but we must look to avoid dropping any more points between now and the end of the season.

Bristol City was able to beat Middlesbrough in one of their two games in hand this week. It took them to fifth in the Championship. Derby County are a point behind us and also have a game in hand. Wins and points have not been more crucial this season than they are right now.

Dean Smith will be well aware that we need to stick to winning ways and hopefully, things will fall into place.

Face-off against Bruce

We take on our old manager Steve Bruce and his Sheffield Wednesday side this weekend. I am under no illusions, it will be a difficult game and we must be at our best.

Despite being at home, I fully expect Bruce to deploy the very same tactics that Villa fans loathed so much. They will be strong defensively and hard to beat.

But let’s not look at what they are good at and concentrate on our own game. I am sure Smith has done his homework on Sheffield Wednesday. His Brentford side had a good record over Bruce’s Villa side so hopefully, Smith can continue that trend.

Abraham needs to be more prolific

Before everyone jumps on my back, let me just place on record that Tammy Abraham has had a fantastic season. I am a big fan of his however he needs to be more clinical in front of goal. Don’t get me wrong, he holds up the ball very well, gets into the right positions and scores goals.

But he could be so much more. If he was to work on his composure, he would probably be in and around the Chelsea team right now. I am sure he will admit, he misses too many clear cut chances. I may be being hyper-critical here but in difficult and tight games he will need to take these chances. Games against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday could see his chances limited!

The Jack Grealish and John McGinn influence

It has been said a few times but there is no doubt that Jack Grealish’s return has helped with our current run of form. John McGinn is also receiving plaudits and rightly so, he is the engine of our midfield. He makes everything tick.

The two combined compliment each others playing style perfectly. Where Grealish has the creative hold up play, McGinn has the high energy runs into space. With Glenn Whelan stifling any attacks behind them and positive wing play, our midfield is up there with the best in the division right now.

Saying that, without wanting to jinx anything, our whole team is ticking well right now. Let’s just hope it continues all the way to the playoffs and beyond. Hopefully, the Premier League is just around the corner. Come on Villa.