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Aston Villa break 109-year-old club record with win over Millwall

Aston Villa's manager Dean Smith (left) and Millwall manager Neil Harris Aston Villa v Millwall - Sky Bet Championship - Villa Park 22-04-2019 . (Photo by  Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith (left) and Millwall manager Neil Harris Aston Villa v Millwall - Sky Bet Championship - Villa Park 22-04-2019 . (Photo by Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith hailed his history-making players following their 1-0 win against Millwall in the Championship at Villa Park on Monday.

The victory, courtesy of Jonathan Kodjia's strike after 30 minutes, was a club record 10th successive win - beating the previous record that had been set 109 years ago.

Villa, who have now virtually secured themselves of a place in the play-offs, would have won by a greater margin but for Millwall goalkeeper David Martin who saved from Anwar El Ghazi, Jack Grealish and Andre Green.

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Smith said: "If you had asked me 11 games ago would we go and win the next 10 I would have thought you were a little bit crackers.

"The turning point was half-time at Stoke when I got into the players and we have been excellent since then.

"I don't think until I look back on it I will realise what we have actually done because my focus is still on getting promoted.

"It is a historical great football club and to be the first manager to have achieved it is something special but we want to continue it.

Aston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia celebrates with his team mates after he scores to put his side 1-0 up Aston Villa v Millwall - Sky Bet Championship - Villa Park 22-04-2019 . (Photo by  Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)
Aston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia celebrates with his team mates after he scores to put his side 1-0 up Aston Villa v Millwall - Sky Bet Championship - Villa Park 22-04-2019 . (Photo by Bradley Collyer/EMPICS/PA Images via Getty Images)

"The players have been magnificent throughout. They have set standards and are taking great ownership of what they are doing at the moment.

"They are improving as players and we are improving as a team.

"We are hoping there are still five more games left for us this season and we are hoping we can win all five."

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