Pre Match
*Villa manager Dean Smith*
*Thursday, 13 May 2021*

​“For all of us it is a big boost [having Jack Grealish back].

“He is a top player and to have had him out for almost a third of a season is probably a big reason why we have been so inconsistent.

“It is vital for himself to show he is fit and raring to go for the Euros, should he be picked.”
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Post Match
*Thursday, 13 May 2021*
*Villa manager Dean Smith*

​”I thought we controlled the ball well in the first half without creating chances. The second half was a bit scrappy. It started as a basketball game but we never took the control we wanted. They had the later chances.

“JJ [Jacob Ramsey] coming on and Jack [Grealish] helped us. We looked like we could create something in final third. That was what was missing for us.

“Another clean sheet, we haven’t had one for six or seven games. Never say die attitude from the players. They continued to show that and will do for last three games.

“We knew he [Emiliano Martinez] would be important for us. He’s done really well. With Tom Heaton injured at the start of the season we needed someone. He’s made it his number one jersey.”

On Grealish:

“The medical staff said [bring him on at minute] 75 but I twisted their arm to get a few more minutes out of him. I felt we were flat in the final third and needed a spark. He won’t be ready to start at Crystal Palace.”

On Matty Cash’s injury:

“Whether it’s a recurrence I don’t know. He felt his hamstring. That will probably rule him out for the rest of the season.”

On Tyrone Mings’ injury:

“Him and Emi [Martinez] collided. He’s a tough old cookie. He should be OK.

​”At the end of the game we were [hanging on a bit]. I thought we had good control of the game in the first half. I think what will annoy myself and Carlo [Ancelotti] is that there were not too many good chances in the game.”

On Jack Grealish’s return:

”It is really good to see, he has been training well but we have had to manage it. I had an agreement with the medical staff today, twisted their arm to get an extra five minutes out of him.

“We will see how he feels, we will be looking to get him a 90 minutes somewhere, Palace next he won’t be ready for 90 minutes.”

On Matty Cash injury:

”It will probably put him out for the rest of the season. Disappointing for him.”

On Emi Martinez’s club clean sheet record:

”It is a great credit to him. It is a great signing for us and we knew that at the start of the season. He will be the first as well to thank the team for protecting him as well and making big chances become comfortable saves for him but it has been a team effort.”

​On Douglas Luiz:

“He’s really important. Tonight, he was good. He kept the ball ticking but I think he can be a little bit more progressive at times on the ball.

“The last five minutes he played two forward balls on the spin and put (Everton) under pressure and we want to see that a lot more.”
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