OPINION
Adrian Durham appeared extremely confident that Aston Villa would overcome West Bromwich Albion that he even tipped the Villans to win the Championship play-offs overall as well.
The talkSPORT broadcaster claimed the Villans had better players than West Brom ahead of the two rivals clashing in the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs before saying he thought they’d be in the Premier League next season.
“Villa have better players than West Brom so they should beat them and Villa will keep it together to beat Derby in the final and go one better than last year,” said Durham in talkSPORT (17:57, Wednesday May 8th).
Durham is certainly confident and Aston Villa will feel ready to pop the champagne in celebration after hearing his remarks as he makes them sound like a shoo-in for victory.
While Dean Smith’s side have been in tremendous form in recent months, barring their last two outings, the play-offs are a glorified lottery and no one can be certain of victory.
This is especially the case when you consider that every side in the play-offs is going to be determined to raise their game in order to reach the promise land that is the Premier League.
Also Durham confidently saying Villa’s squad is better than West Brom’s should also raise a few eyebrows.
While Smith’s team does have some talented players to call upon, see Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Tammy Abraham for more information, it’s not like West Brom don’t have a formidable squad.
West Brom attacker Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez have the ability to tear any side apart in the Championship as it’s not by accident that they have 55 league goals between them.
So either Durham is in denial about the Baggies’ squad or really rates the Villans highly.
Either way it won’t stop the Villans feeling confident based on Durham’s verdict on the clash against West Brom as he makes the play-offs seem a sure thing for them.