What seemed an impossible dream even two months ago came true at Wembley on a late Spring Bank Holiday as Aston Villa secured promotion back to the Premier League after a three-year absence.
It capped off a truly remarkable season which started with the club in desperate straits, a manager who held on despite losing the same Championship play-off last season and the possibility of bankruptcy and fire-sale of assets.
The story of Dean Smith’s arrival as late as October following the arrival of the new NSWE ownership is the stuff of legend. So what now? Howard and Jonny got together at the final whistle – just as they did last season – but this time to dream of the new possibilities ahead.
