Dean Smith: Aston Villa can handle the pressure
Dean Smith is confident Villa’s players won’t wilt as the heat continues to rise in their Premier League survival battle.
Villa face another huge match tomorrow when they visit Everton, aiming to follow up Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
Smith knows his team, who sit four points adrift of safety with just three matches remaining, can afford no slip-ups if they are to avoid the drop.
But he took heart from the character of their showing against Palace, which ended a 11-match winless streak in all competitions, dating back to January.
“The players know how to play under pressure and I think they proved that on Sunday,” he said.
“It was always going to be tough against Liverpool and Manchester United, two of the best teams in this league, if not the world.
“We have come out of that and taken the positives into these games.”
Smith has heaped praise on Ahmed Elmohamady following the full-back’s performance against Palace.
Elmohamady started a match for the first time since the season resumed following an injury to Kortney Hause in the warm-up. He is expected to keep his place against the Toffees.
“I thought he oozed class,” said Smith. “He showed his experience and I like the fact he has a point to prove.
“He has not been happy at not playing and I like that he came in on Sunday and proved that point, doing very well against one of their best players in Wilfried Zaha.
“They players all know the standards they need to set.”
