Ahmed Elmohamady says that the disappointment of last season's play-off final defeat to Fulham will motivate his side when they return to Wembley to face Derby with the same prize at stake on Monday.

The Egyptian defender played 77 minutes of the Wembley showpiece against Fulham 12 months ago, when Tom Cairney's goal was enough to seal Fulham's place in the Premier League, despite The Cottagers having Denis Odoi sent off with 20 minutes remaining.

Elmohamady believes that that experience could help Villa when they face Derby with the same prize at stake on Monday, as he told the club's official YouTube channel: "Hopefully this time is going to be a good time for us, because last year was very very disappointing after the game hopefully it's our time to get back to the Premier League."

Asked whether that defeat to Fulham help Villa mentally this time around, Elmohamady added: "when you've been there and you feel disappointed after the game.

"You see the fans were a bit down these are all things you've got in your mind before the game and then you just go out and give everything and hopefully it will be our time this time."

Elmohamady has made 40 appearances for Villa in their Championship campaign this season, scoring twice to help the club secure their place in at Wembley, where they will face Derby County for a place in the Premier League.

The verdict

Having gone so close last year, Villa will surely be determined to put things right this time around, as Elmohamady has shown here.

Having beaten Derby convincingly twice in the regular season, they will be confident ahead of their meeting at Wembley, but their experiences last year mean they will not be taking anything for granted on Monday.