Charlie Adam believes Aston Villa will win the Championship play-off final against Derby County at Wembley on May 27 because of their momentum and experience.

Villa finished fifth in the Championship table, after an incredible twelve-match unbeaten run catapulted them into the top six, and they booked their place in the final with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over West Brom, after a 2-2 draw on aggregate in their semi-final.

Derby meanwhile secured their place in the top six with a 3-1 win over West Brom on the final day and produced one of the greatest comebacks in play-off history against Leeds United in the semi-final, to book their place at Wembley.

[ad_pod ]

Villa lost in the play-off final last season, losing 1-0 to Fulham at Wembley and Adam believes that this experience and their momentum built up in the final few weeks of the season, makes them favourites for the final.

Adam was speaking on talkSPORT on Monday (May 20) evening, and when asked who he thinks will win the play-offs, he said: “Villa. The momentum they’ve got going into it. Frank’s done a great job at Derby, but the experience Villa have got, last year being at Wembley, they players that they’ve got. On paper, I fancy them to do it."

The Verdict

Adam could be right.

The Villa players will be determined to win the play-offs after the disappointment of losing in the final at Wembley last season, and the momentum they built up towards the end of the season makes them favourites.

However, it's important to remember that Derby have some experienced players also and have been in the play-offs four out of the past six seasons and will be desperate to finally win them this season.

Thoughts? Let us know!