The boyhood Villa fan has now guided them back to the top flight after three seasons in the second tier, winning what is dubbed the ‘richest game in football’ – said to be worth an estimated £170m to the winners – to join Norwich and Sheffield United in being promoted to the Premier League.

Goals from Anwar El Ghazi and John McGinn either side of the break put them on their way to their third win of the season against Frank Lampard’s Rams, who pulled one back late on through substitute Jack Marriott.

Villa started well and Derby looked nervous, but Smith’s men only went close through half chances for Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham who both failed to test Kelle Roos.

With the game heading 0-0 at half-time, Villa took the lead in the 44th minute when El Ghazi made a run at the far post to dive and head home Ahmed ElMohamady’s cross to cap off a fine move.

Villa started the second half as they ended the first and they doubled their lead on 59 minutes after mistake by goalkeeper Roos.

El Ghazi cut inside to shoot from 20 yards and Keogh’s block looped towards goal. As the Dutchman went to catch the ball but could not secure it and McGinn headed into an empty net.

Mariott flashed a volley past the post soon after coming on before finding the back of the net to give the Rams hope of salvaging something with just over eight minutes left on the clock. It came after Tyrone Mings’ vital interception on Martyn Waghorn, which saw the Villa man go off injured, but the ball was not cleared and it was crossed back in, falling to Marriott who lashed home what proved to be a consolation despite a couple of late counters for Derby.

Villa thus became the first side since West Ham in 2005 to win a playoff final after losing in the previous season.

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