Dean Smith has revealed how he made a Premier League pledge to his father, Ron, before taking Aston Villa back into the top flight.

Smith has ended his beloved Villa’s three-year exile from the top tier to fulfil a promise to his father, who is in a home with dementia.

A matchday steward at Villa Park for over two decades, Ron’s illness means he does not even know his son is head coach of the club.

And after the win over Derby at Wembley, Smith said: "I went to see my old man on Friday and I managed to get his eyes open for two minutes maximum. I said, ‘next time I come and see you, I’ll be a Premier League manager’.

“He smiled, if not anything more. Hopefully there was an understanding but it's a terrible illness. For me, that was enough.

“The reality is just setting in. The last time I sat here I was not so good as we'd just lost 2-0 in the Checkatrade Trophy final with Walsall.