Ally Samatta highlighted the desire within the Aston Villa squad after Premier League safety was secured at the London Stadium on Sunday.
Watford’s failure to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium meant that a 1-1 draw with West Ham United was enough to ensure Dean Smith's side will play in the top flight next season.
Samatta revealed that despite the drama that was unfolding elsewhere, Villa’s only focus was their own performance against a strong West Ham team.
He said: “They [West Ham] were confident because they knew that they were staying up.
“We were not concerned about the other games, we were trying to win the game here because we knew that if we did then we would stay up.
“It was all that mattered - to be playing in the Premier League next season.”
The striker started all four games as Villa overcame a seven-point deficit to finish 17th and avoid relegation, and Samatta feels that the achievement is fully deserved.
“We have a strong squad and we were hungry to stay up.
“For the quality of our team, we deserve it.”
