Aston Villa wins £170m just from the play-off!!

Aston Villa are back in the big time, £170 million (€192. 5million) richer and free from the demons that have tormented them since they lost in the playoff final 12 months ago.

After three rollercoaster years in the Championship, Villa has managed to navigate a return to the Premier League and how fitting that Dean Smith, a lifelong supporter, was there at the helm to complete that journey.

Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn put Villa 2-0 up before Martyn Waghorn pulled a goal back for Derby in the 81st minute but Dean Smith’s side held on for the victory against intense pressure.

El Ghazi opened the scoring just before the break with a diving header from a cross from right by Ahmed Elmohamady.

McGinn doubled the advantage in the 59th minute when a deflected shot from El Ghazi looped into the area and Derby keeper Kelle Roos came out but was unable to capture the ball under a challenge from McGinn who bundled the ball home.

Derby, managed by former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard, got back in the game when substitute Jack Marriott’s low shot was turned in by Waghorn and then piled on the pressure in the final minutes but were unable to break through.

Aston Villa 2-1 Derby County | Extended highlights

Aston Villa wants to become ‘one of the best clubs in the world’ after returning to the Premier League.

That’s the ambition of mega-rich owners Egyptian businessman Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens, who were both at Wembley to see the club they saved from administration last year win the Championship play-off final.