Dean Smith tells Aston Villa to keep looking up as they enter Championship run-in

Villa resume their campaign when they host Blackburn tomorrow, targeting a fifth straight league win for only the second time since 1998.

A run of four successive victories prior to the international break brought them roaring back from the bottom half of the table and into the top six for the first time since September.

But Smith does not want to stop there as he urges his team to keep pushing.

Villa sit sixth, one place and a point behind Boro, who they beat 3-0 at home last time out.

Smith said: “I think we are still chasing. Three or four games ago you were looking at one position to grab.

“I think we have probably dragged Middlesbrough in now, so there are two positions to play for.

“We have to make sure we are in the group come the last game of the season.”

He continued: “I didn’t believe fifth was up for grabs. Had Middlesbrough beaten us, the gap would have been a lot bigger.

“But us winning the game tightened things up. I think there are two places up for grabs for a number of teams, if I am honest. There are a number of teams on good runs at the moment.”

Villa’s destiny does not lie entirely in their own hands, with both Derby and Bristol City possessing games in hand.

But Smith knows there is the potential to build ‘scoreboard pressure’ if they can keep winning.

“All you can do is control what you are in control of,” he said. “Our performances usually take care of the results and whatever will be, will be when it comes to the other games.

“We still have to play Bristol City at home. They are one of the teams with games in hand and we know we can directly affect them. We just have to concentrate on winning games.”

Villa have been boosted by the news top scorer Tammy Abraham is fit to feature against Blackburn.

The 21-year-old withdrew from international duty with England Under-21s due to calf and groin problems and Smith paid tribute for the way Aidy Boothroyd and his team handled the matter.

“We’re thankful to the England camp,” said Smith “They looked after him and gave him some modified treatment on his groin injury and also the calf injury that he suffered from fatigue.

“We’ve been fortunate that we’ve got an understanding international group. They wanted to have him there because he’s an important part for the tournament work in the summer. He got some good rest period with them. He’ll be fighting fit for Saturday.”

Blackburn, managed by former Albion boss Tony Mowbray, head into the game on a miserable run which has seen them lose seven of their last nine games.

Rovers also possess the division’s most porous defence on the road, having conceded 42 goals in 19 games. Villa, conversely, have the Championship’s best home attack, having found the net 44 times in front of their own fans.

Henri Lansbury and Axel Tuanzebe are both back available after long-term injury.