Aston Villa’s on-loan striker Tammy Abraham believes Derby County are a side full of talent, Sky Sports report.
Villa are set to meet the Rams in this season’s Championship playoff final. The Villans reached Wembley after defeating West Bromwich Albion on penalties. Derby, meanwhile, came from 2-0 down on aggregate to beat Leeds United 4-3 after a memorable 4-2 win at Elland Road.
The playoff final has a big touch of Chelsea about it. Derby manager Frank Lampard has used his connections well to bring in Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori on loan from Stamford Bridge. Villa, on the other hand, have John Terry as assistant boss and leading scorer Tammy Abraham leading the line.
Abraham arrived at Villa on a season-long loan deal from the Blues. He claims he hasn’t spoken to Chelsea teammates Mount or Tomori ahead of the final, while describing Derby as a talented side.
I’ve just kept my distance [from Mount and Tomori]. We know it’s a massive game for both teams and for me it’s about focusing on Aston Villa. Derby have had fantastic seasons at Derby but hopefully I can have the last laugh. They are full of talent and you can’t get to this stage of the season if you’re not a good team. They have a lot of spirit and you have to be a threat to score four goals at Elland Road.
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Why Derby County shouldn’t feat Aston Villa in the playoff final:
Villa head into the final as favourites. Dean Smith’s side finished above Derby in the Championship table, while defeating the Rams both home and away in the league by a 7-0 aggregate score-line.
Derby, however, have made a habit of raising their game in the big clashes this season. They have seen off Manchester United and Southampton in cup games. Moreover, they’ve beaten Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion 4-3 and 4-1 away from home respectively.
The Rams’ turnaround against Leeds at Elland Road has though been their best yet. It offers a warning to Villa of their capabilities and what they can pull off this coming Monday at Wembley stadium.
Also see: Derby County’s best hope of signing Will Vaulks could rest on Wembley victory.