Aston Villa are playing some great football under Dean Smith and are closing in on the play-off places as we head into the crucial festive period. 

Smith’s side have just been on a really testing run, but have come through with impressive victories over Derby, Birmingham and Middlesbrough, whilst they’ve picked up valuable points against Nottingham Forest and West Brom in that time too.

The Championship being the Championship means that more difficult tasks are on the horizon, with back-to-back home fixtures against Stoke City and Leeds United taking Villa into Christmas.

Trips to Swansea and Preston come between Christmas and New Year, with Villa then back at Villa Park on New Year’s Day to host Queens Park Rangers.

Some tough fixtures are on the horizon for Villa, no doubt, but the form the club finds themselves in has left supporters confident.

Here is a look at what they’re expecting from the Christmas period…