Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has moved to shift the pressure off his side and claimed West Brom are favourites in their promotion showdown. Albion beat Villa 2-0 away and drew 2-2 at home during the regular season to finish fourth, a place and four points above Villa. He told a press conference: “It is going to be a difficult game against West Brom, I know several pundits out there are saying we will be the favourites, but West Brom have been above us all season. “They are the ones who came down from the Premier League and have a squad of Premier League players. Villa lost the play-off final 1-0 to Fulham last season having been relegated from the Premier League in 2016.

Source: Irish Examiner May 09, 2019 14:37 UTC