Play-off hero Anwar El Ghazi: I want to stay at Aston Villa

The 24-year-old Holland international, who etched himself into Villa folklore by scoring the opening goal in the 2-1 Wembley success over Derby, admitted after the game that he is hoping a move from Lille can be agreed this summer.

El Ghazi, who started his career at Ajax before switching to the French outfit, has enjoyed his season-long spell at Villa Park.

After a slow start his form picked up following the arrival of Dean Smith as boss and since November he has been a regular in the side.

“I have really enjoyed it here and I love the club, and the fans,” said El Ghazi. “I have to talk with my agent now. This club is amazing and I will be very happy if I can stay here.

“But we have to figure it out first with Lille and I hope everything goes well so that I can stay here.”

El Ghazi struggled to put his feelings into words at the final whistle following the victory which sees Villa restored to the top table of English football.

“It’s just the love that you feel for the club and the fans," he said. "We do it for ourselves and our families but we also do it for the fans. If you see how much effort they put in and how much they love the club, it’s unbelievable.

“I don’t know how to describe my emotions, I’m just flying in the air. We all did it. Amazing."

El Ghazi felt his strike came at a crucial time and gave Villa some momentum for the second half.

And, despite netting for Ajax against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in the Champions League, he claims this goal is the best of his career to date.

"This one was the best goal in my life, I’m very happy," he added.

"I was talking with Dave, our video guy, and he told me that he had never seen me head a ball. I said to him it wasn’t my head, it was my shoulder or something but it was great for me to score.

"It’s great if you can score just before half-time, it gives you a boost for the second half. But we knew it wasn’t done yet and in our heads it was zero zero. But luckily we got a second goal."