Aston Villa look set to become a late entrant into the Championship promotion picture after a brilliant run of form in recent weeks.

Since Jack Grealish returned against Derby County, Dean Smith’s side have not lost, beating the Rams, local rivals Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough.

The midfielder has lifted the entire mood of the club with belief firmly returning that promotion could be achieved, currently sat in sixth place with just eight matches remaining.

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Another Villa man who has found form recently has been the experienced Glenn Whelan.

His solid presence in the defensive midfield role has been pivotal in allowing the likes of Grealish and John McGinn to bomb forward and dazzle.

However, Whelan’s contract is set to expire at the end of the current campaign with very little reported movement being made on any extension.

But how will the former Stoke man be feeling heading into the final weeks of the season?

Whelan has been a sturdy servant for Villa but will surely be on his way out in the summer.

However, that will not give him much comfort and he will surely be beginning to worry about his future the longer things go on without action.

I imagine he will be knocking on the door of Smith in the next weeks to enquire about what is going on and finally receive some assurances.