Dean Smith reveals how dinner duo Jack Grealish and John McGinn are putting promotion on the menu at Aston Villa

The pair’s understanding in the middle of the park has been integral to a run of seven straight wins, which has seen Villa surge from mid-table up to fifth ahead of Saturday's showdown with Bristol City.

But their bond extends well beyond the pitch with boss Smith, who has previously described them as “thick as thieves”, lifting the lid on the star duo’s “exclusive” dinner club.

He explained: “They have a bit of a ritual where they go out together to eat each Thursday night.

“It’s called Thursday Club. I am not sure if their girlfriends approve!”

McGinn has scored four goals in the last five games, while Grealish has netted three in seven including the winner in Wednesday's 2-1 victory at Rotherham.

The boss continued: “They have a little bit of banter about themselves, the pair of them. They get on well and have a similar sense of humour. Within the group you see little bonds which build.

“It helps they play so close together on the pitch as well. There is good knowledge between them.”

Smith added: “Will I get an invite (to Thursday Club)? No, because they would probably ask me to foot the bill. It’s an invite I’d rather not have!”

Grealish, who has captained Villa throughout their winning run, paid tribute to the spirit currently coursing through the squad following the victory at Rotherham, when they battled back to win despite playing most of the match with 10 men.

Villa’s team spirit was demonstrated by the loud singing and music which could be heard blasting from their dressing room after the final whistle.

“They have always been like that, to be honest,” said Smith. “They are a lively bunch of lads.

“I am not sure their choice of music is my choice of music, certainly before a game. They have always been a little bit lively and a confident bunch as well.”

Villa would equal the eight-match winning run achieved by Ron Saunders’s 1975 promotion winning team if they beat Bristol City today.

“I will take notice of it if we get there but we have not got there yet,” said Smith. “I am just concentrating on the games.”