Ahmed Elmohamady: Resilience key for Aston Villa in 'Europe's toughest league'

Steve Bruce’s team signed-off before the international break with a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday and will be aiming to get back on track when they resume their campaign at QPR on Saturday week.

Wideman Elmohamady, who twice won promotion to the Premier League with Hull City, believes the number of matches in the division makes life hard for players but also offers the opportunity to bounce back.

“That’s the good thing about the Championship,” he said. “You can lose one week but then play soon after and win. Then everything is changed.

“We have to make sure we bounce back from defeats. I’ve been there before with Hull so I know what it’s all about.

“I know how this division works. It’s the same for some of our other experienced players, they know how hard it is.

“It’s the hardest league in Europe, I think.

“What makes it hard is the amount of games - Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday. On top of that we have a lot of internationals, so there’s no break. We don’t have time off.”

Elmohamady, who has played at right-back during a run which has seen Villa win six of their last nine games, is one of several players currently away on international duty.

The Egyptian international was reunited with Bruce for a second time during the summer when he joined Villa in a £1million deal from Hull, having previously played under him for both the Tigers and Sunderland.

“He’s a great manager, and always looks after the players,” said Elmohamady when asked about the Villa boss. “Whatever they want or you need, he will be there.

“I’ve been with him for a long time, three different clubs, he brought me here to England.

“He just always believes in me. He gives me confidence to play and believes in me.

“That’s a big thing. If you have confidence from your manager you can produce your best football.”