Ahmed Elmohamady hopeful of "fresh start" for Aston Villa after break

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 11 April 2020

Ahmed Elmohamady believes that the coronavirus-enforced suspension of football could prove to be a blessing in disguise for his relegation-threatened Aston Villa side.

Ahmed Elmohamady has urged his Aston Villa teammates to view the current break in football as a chance to make a "fresh start" when the Premier League does eventually return.

It is now more than a month since the last Premier League game took place, with Villa finding themselves on the end of a 4-0 thrashing by Leicester City before the coronavirus pandemic brought all football to a standstill.

The defeat to Leicester was Villa's fifth in a row across all competitions and left Dean Smith's side 19th in the Premier League table, and Elmohamady believes that the stoppage in play could give his side a much-needed chance to "reset" and get out of their rut.

"I do believe this break could give us a fresh start to play the final 10 games of the season, and give everyone a chance to reset," the Egypt international told Sky Sports News.

"We went through a tough period before the season stopped, and this break would allow the likes of John McGinn, who is a key player for us, get back to full fitness and help us for the final 10 games. I do believe we can come back fresh and that this break was needed for us, ready to fight for the remaining games.

"We do have a strong team spirit in the team. It's something that has always been here and is created from the manager, staff and senior players downwards."

Villa currently sit two points from safety in the Premier League table, but they also have a game in hand over the teams around them.