Dislike for John Terry not only reason Tottenham are backing Derby County

Tottenham supporters probably won’t back Derby County so fervently again, but come May 27 the Championship side has Spurs’ full support to earn Premier League promotion.

Instinctively, you’d think backing Derby County is primarily due to our antipathy for John Terry, who, for what seemed like eternity, captained Chelsea, one of our most loathed adversaries.

While the Tottenham faithful certainly don’t want to see Terry patrolling the sideline for Villa in the Premier League, there’s a significantly more important reason to want Villa to fall at the final hurdle at Wembley in just under two weeks.

The prospective signing of Villa’s maestro and captain Jack Grealish is predicated wholly on Derby County earning promotion to the Premier League.

If Aston Villa triumph over Derby County on May 27, it’s likely Grealish will stay with the Midlands club for their revival season in the top flight.

Tottenham have, for a couple of seasons now, been linked to Villa’s top man, and the North London club is the favourite to sign the 23-year-old Englishman. With Christian Eriksen and Kieran Trippier’s future unknown, Grealish’s dead-ball precision would be of major benefit at Spurs.

The crafty midfielder moves a lot like Harry Winks, his low centre of gravity making him a nightmare to defend. The Number 10 can pick out a pass from the most absurd of angles, and, with the ball seemingly glued to his feet, dribbles as fast as a mouse scampering from a prowling cat.

At 23, Grealish would also immediately challenge for a place in Spurs startling 11. Nothing is assured, but Grealish shouldn’t have too much trouble stepping it up a notch to match the rigours and demands of England’s best league.

The man is a marvel and can, like Eriksen, also smash a ball on target from another area code, creating either power and pace, or alternatively, mesmerizing dip and swerve.

Even more appealing, Grealish shouldn’t cost Spurs more than £30 million. The agile midfielder has boundless potential. Working with Mauricio Pochettino daily is a surefire way to ensure that potential is met in a timely manner.

Nothing personal Villa fans, but a large chunk of North London will be hoping Derby County turns you over on May 27, as it’s for the betterment of our beloved Lilywhites. And nothing is more important than that.