Aston Villa defender Neil Taylor has heaped praise on his manager Dean Smith, ahead of the Championship play-off semi-final with rivals West Brom.

Smith took charge at Villa Park in October, replacing Steve Bruce, and has been able to guide the club into the Championship play-offs.

Taylor had fallen out of favour at left-back under Bruce but has been an influential player for Villa under Smith this season, making 31 appearances in the Championship, helping the team to cement their position in the play-offs.

The 30-year-old has heaped praise on his manager for the impact he has had since taking charge at Villa Park and is hoping to reward him with winning promotion.

“With this gaffer, he’s very much a modern-day manager. He’s good with the players, his communication skills are great and the training sessions are engaging for the lads," said Taylor, as quoted by the Birmingham Mail.

“When a manager puts on sessions like that it gives you a boost, hence why the levels of the team have been really good.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air and we had heard good things about him before. The fact that he is from the area, supports the club, visited previously as a fan, only helps.

“He’s absolutely loving life and we’re just pleased we can give him a bit of success so far and we’re hoping for more in the weeks ahead.”

Villa finished fifth in the Championship table, four points behind West Brom, after a remarkable ten-game winning run catapulted them into the top six.

The Verdict

Villa have been outstanding over the last few weeks in the Championship and can go into the play-off semi-finals full of confidence, having lost just one of their last 13 matches.

Smith and his players deserve great credit for what they have been able to achieve in the second half of the season, so Taylor is right to praise his manager here.

The left-back missed the play-offs with Villa last season, so he will be determined to help the team return to the Premier League over the next few weeks.

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