Dean Smith defends Aston Villa's Premier League survival celebrations

A 1-1 draw at West Ham completed a remarkable escape for Villa, who had been seven points adrift of safety with just four matches left to play.

Celebrations which began shortly after the final whistle continued back in the Midlands on Sunday night, with Smith admitting he failed to make it home and ended up sleeping at Bodymoor Heath.

The manner in which the club reacted to survival was criticised by former Manchester United midfielder and one-time Villa assistant Roy Keane, who described the celebrations as “over the top”.

Asked about Keane’s comments, Smith told TalkSport: “I heard what he said. Listen, the emotions, the lads were right to go and celebrate because we were written off 10 games ago.

“To do what we have done and turn it round the way we have is a celebration, that is for sure. I am not sure what time (I got to bed) and I slept in my office at the training ground.”

Villa are now putting together plans for next season in earnest, with Smith due to hold talks with the club’s hierarchy.

While last summer saw Villa carry out a major overhaul of their playing squad, the focus is now on adding quality to the ranks.

Strengthening in attacking areas is a top priority, while the club have not given up hope of keeping skipper Jack Grealish.

Smith said: “We need to be smart in the market. It was such a big turnaround last summer.

“I said it after the game that people tended to focus on the amount we spent. We had 13 players and I think it worked out at something like £9.5million a player.

“That is not a lot in the Premier League. I am really proud of the players and how they have adapted to the league eventually.

“We have got to where we wanted to be but it has taken time. Now we need to be really smart in the market.”

Asked about Grealish’s future, Smith replied: “It’s a chat for another day. He is a wonderful lad.

I have got all the time in the world for him and I am so pleased he scored the goal which kept us in the Premier League.”

Villa’s players will be given three weeks off before returning for pre-season training, with the 2020/21 campaign scheduled to start on September 12.

Midfielder Conor Hourihane hopes the club have now laid the foundations to push further up the table next season.

He said: “We were desperate not to go back to the Championship. It would have been gutting and it is never easy to get out of that league.

“To stay in the Premier League, we are thrilled. Hopefully we can build on that now.

“With the size of the club we should not be in this position but the reality is we are. Hopefully over the next three or four weeks we will need to improve as a club because this won’t be good enough next year.

“We showed huge character over the last few weeks and we needed to because otherwise we were down and out. Experts, pundits had all written us off. It is a great thing in life when you prove people wrong. We are absolutely delighted.”