Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson wants his side to channel Aston Villa and reach the Premier League through the play-offs.
Villa beat Forest's local rivals Derby County 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley last May, handing Frank Lampard's side their second Wembley defeat in five years.
The claret and blue put together a run of ten straight wins to lift themselves from 13th into the top-six.
Dean Smith's side rode a wave of momentum to come through the challenge of facing West Bromwich Albion in the play-off semi-finals to secure the date with Derby at the national stadium.
And Dawson, whose Forest side are in fifth place with coronavirus suspending the 2019-20 season indefinitely, is using Villa as a case in point as to why Forest can end a 20-year Premier League absence this season.
The Reds are unbeaten against the other sides in the top six (Fulham, Brentford and Preston North End) and will fancy their chances against any side.
“We have got every chance," an upbeat Dawson told Sky Sports earlier this week.
“You look at Aston Villa last year and I always go on about that."
"Anything can happen if you are in a good vein of form.”
