"We've got a Villa fan making the kit, a Villa fan as manager and a Villa fan as captain."

The words of Jack Grealish to Sky Sports seem to sum up what has made the difference at Aston Villa. It's a togetherness, a brotherhood. People who care and want the best for the club.

Not to mention a future king in the stands.

One of the biggest clubs in the country, once a European Cup winner on a famous night in Rotterdam, now back in the elite.

Derby County did the EFL proud too, showing passion, heart and a never-say-die attitude. They just could not find a way through that Villa collective despite a late rally.

For Villa though, this is only the start of it, the Premier League will be a tough test for the players, but tonight is about celebration.

"We'll get steaming," joked John McGinn. They deserve it.

Thanks for your company during this topsy-turvy EFL season. See you in August.

Image source, Getty Images

You've lived and breathed the immediacy of Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Derby, why not take a more considered look at what has unfolded this afternoon at Wembley?

Here's Ian Woodcock's report...

Garry Thompson
Ex-Aston Villa striker on BBC WM 95.6

In the space of a few months Dean Smith has made himself an Aston Villa legend.

Image source, Getty Images

With winners, there are evidently losers.

Derby County had a chance to take promotion to the Premier League this season, but it fell short at the final hurdle.

Their manager Frank Lampard came in last summer and brought a freshness to the Rams, adding quality like Jack Marriott - who made an impression off the bench - and Chelsea loanees Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount.

Harry Wilson too a loanee, was another key part of an exciting young side. But next season could be an interesting test. Can Lampard pick this team up? Can they recruit those young stars again? Will Lampard even be at Pride Park next season?

It will be a big summer for the Rams. It was almost the perfect first campaign.

Image source, PA

Neil Hughes: Genuinely gutted about the result, but great to see the future king of England wearing a baseball cap passionately screaming "come on ref" anxiously counting down the final seconds - like every football fan has - was quite heartwarming.

It's been a rollercoaster ride following Aston Villa since they were last in the Premier League in the summer of 2016.

Two takeovers, expensive flops, play-off final defeat, a summer on the brink of financial ruin...

But this current group, led by one of their own, is something for the Villa fans to be proud of.

They're back in the big time.

Dean Smith started the season as Brentford boss and ended it leading the team he supports into the Premier League.

The Bees have offered their congratulations...

The Leeds/Niall Horan Twitter spat is reignited...

Given the financial concerns that afflicted Aston Villa after their Championship play-off final defeat last season, the prospect of £170m swelling the coffers are a major boost to the club.

Villa's support will again fill Villa Park next season, this time as a Premier League club. Can they become immediately competitive? That's the next miracle for Dean Smith to turn his hand to.

But right now, he's a Premier League manager. Some journey.

Which players were key to Aston Villa's promotion?

You've got another 15 minutes or so to rate the players' performances in today's Championship play-off final.

Villa's players take it in turns to lift the silverware, roared individually by the Villa support.

John McGinn, such a signing has shone in the Championship; Tammy Abraham's goals have been key, Anwar El Ghazi a real find. Tyrone Mings has resurrected his career.

Delight across the Villa faithful.

Image source, Reuters

Dean Smith receives his medal, shaking hands with the dignitaries and hugging his board. What a job he's done for Villa. Leading his boyhood team.

Fellow Villa fan and skipper Jack Grealish waits... the trophy behind him...

He takes the silverware in his hands, and hoists it high!

Aston Villa are promoted, Championship play-off winners 2018-19.

Glory for the Villans.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport at Wembley

Absolute pandemonium at the Villa end. Dean Smith shows his class shaking hands and trying to console the Derby players before joining in the celebrations.

"Hi Ho Silver Lining" rings out and the Villa fans are just singing along. I’m pretty sure they are all singing a different version. It’s effective though.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport at Wembley

It’s tough on Derby and Frank Lampard, who have had a pretty amazing season all things considered.

Plenty of their fans have hung around to applaud their team.

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa make the long trawl to the Royal Box at Wembley, those steps will feel like gliding on air after this success.

Fans slap on the back, take photos and wish their heroes well as they troop by with joy.

That gantry will soon be bouncing, everyone who's contributed to the season of glory heading up those stairs... waiting for the call.

This is it. The reward for all those games, those tussles, those battles from August to now.