Aston Villa don’t have Tom Cruise but I believe we can stay up, claims Dean Smith

But at the same time, they’ve conceded 14 goals in the same period and a grand total of 60 which is the joint worse defensive record in the English top tier. Yet despite that and a tough road ahead, Dean Smith still believes his side can achieve the impossible and avoid relegation. He also added that the Villians aren’t in a great escape but more in a battle with only a point separating them and safety.

"Unfortunately we haven't got Tom Cruise with us but I've got 11 players and I've seen a desire in their eyes. They feel stung by criticism, you are going to get criticism when you're in a position we're in. Their job is to prove people wrong. Without a doubt, we have seen a better Aston Villa after the break. The points tally hasn't shown that, we played Wolves last week and they are pushing for the Champions League and there was nothing between the two teams,” Smith said in his pre-match press conference.

“Only two of the teams in the bottom six have won [since the Premier League restart] and both were in the last minute: "Brighton against Arsenal and West Ham against Chelsea. We're all battling for points. Every day you're drawing on experiences you've had. At Walsall we were eight points adrift and the following season was a battle as well and we managed to come through that by being a team that was together."