Under his captain's relentless urging, Theodore smiled and raised the trophy high into the air with both hands.
At that exact moment, silver confetti rained down, and the sky above Villa Park erupted in another dazzling display of fireworks.
"And Theodore Bjorn hoists the Championship trophy into the Birmingham sky," Drury announced with quiet reverence.
"Aston Villa are the champions. This season, the teenager recorded a staggering 33 assists and 6 goals. He is the heartbeat of this magnificent achievement."
Afterward, the league presented the individual awards.
Abraham, with his 33 goals, naturally claimed the Golden Boot, while Theodore secured the Playmaker award with his 33 assists.
Moreover, Theodore was officially named the Championship Player of the Season for the 2018-2019 campaign—a truly bountiful haul for the young star!
Following the ceremony, the players embarked on a slow lap of honor around the pitch, sharing the joy of victory with the adoring fans who refused to leave their seats.
...
Meanwhile, head coach Dean Smith had retreated to the tunnel to conduct his post-match press duties.
"Dean, your team clinched the title in the most dramatic fashion in the final round. How are you feeling right now?" a Sky Sports reporter asked, holding out a microphone.
Smith smiled, his eyes red with emotion. "I'm just thrilled. I'm incredibly proud of every single player in that dressing room. They fought relentlessly until the very end, and they deserve every bit of this."
"Mr. Dean Smith, we know the Championship season has ended, but Aston Villa still has one more match to play: the FA Cup final. Do you believe Aston Villa has the ability to defeat their opponent?"
Dean Smith replied with unwavering confidence. "Yes. While Watford is a strong team and successfully secured their Premier League survival this season, defeating them won't be easy. However, I'm confident that our players are fully prepared. Our goal is to win the Double."
As the Aston Villa manager focused intently on answering the reporter's questions, he remained unaware of Tammy Abraham and John McGinn creeping up behind him.
Suddenly, McGinn and Abraham flanked Smith and poured a massive bottle of champagne directly over his expensive suit.
The coach helplessly shrugged his shoulders, wiping his eyes as a wry, defeated smile spread across his dripping face.
...
Inside the locker room, Aston Villa's celebrations were still in full swing.
As the team's resident joker, Jack Grealish, despite his heavily strapped knee, treated his teammates to an impromptu awkward dance, sending the room into fits of laughter.
Soon after, a soaked Dean Smith and Sporting Director Jesús García Pitarch entered the locker room.
Seeing Pitarch arrive, Grealish immediately stopped his routine.
All eyes turned to the sporting director.
Pitarch spoke slowly, a proud gleam in his eye. "Well done, lads. You've won the Championship. Next season, we'll be back in the Premier League. Villa is back where they belong! Thank you for your dedication throughout the season."
He paused, letting a grin break through. "The club's management has decided to award you a £10 million bonus."
As soon as Pitarch finished speaking, the locker room erupted into deafening cheers once again!
The players chanted "Villa are champions," while several banged on the lockers and shouted Pitarch's name.
But Pitarch's face quickly turned serious. He solemnly addressed the squad. "Even though we've won the league and secured promotion, don't forget we still have one game left. The FA Cup final against Watford."
"If you defeat Watford and win the FA Cup, the club will award you an additional £10 million bonus. Lads, give it your all. I believe you can do it."
After the sporting director left, Dean Smith issued his own instructions to the players.
"Tonight, I'll let you celebrate wildly. But tomorrow morning at 10:00 sharp, everyone must be at the training ground. Our season isn't over yet. Watford is an established Premier League team with formidable strength. Beating them won't be easy. So, lads, don't let up. We'll have our real celebration after we lift the FA Cup."
Following Smith's instructions, the players reigned in the heavy partying.
Most showered and returned to their homes to rest their aching muscles.
Only one player went to a bar to party. Unsurprisingly, that player was Jack Grealish.
Grealish had invited Theodore to join him, but the teenager politely declined.
He needed to give an exclusive interview to Sky Sports, meaning he simply didn't have the time to accompany his captain.
Moreover, Theodore had no interest in bars or clubs; he preferred staying on the pitch for extra training.
...
Half an hour later, after the stadium had mostly emptied out, Sky Sports presenter Kelly Cates and her camera crew arrived in the player tunnel.
"Theo, congratulations on winning the Championship," Kelly greeted him, her face lighting up with genuine admiration.
"You're the pride of Villa Park tonight."
"Thank you," Theodore replied politely, offering a tired but warm smile.
"Alright, I won't waste your precious time. Let's get started right away."
"Okay."
Kelly picked up her microphone and turned to the camera. "Welcome, football fans, to this exclusive Sky Sports interview with Theodore Bjorn. I'm Kelly Cates. Theo, congratulations on winning the Championship title, as well as the Playmaker of the Season award. Aston Villa will be competing in the Premier League next year. Do you think the squad can successfully avoid relegation?"
Kelly read through her prepared questions, and Theodore cooperated fully, answering her thoughtfully and with a maturity beyond his years.
Approximately twenty minutes later, the broadcast concluded.
Though brief, the live stream garnered massive viewership on the Sky Sports app, with fans lighting up the Twitter hashtag in praise of the young prodigy.
Once the cameras stopped rolling, Kelly discreetly pulled a stack of folded jerseys from her bag.
"Uh... Theo, could you do me a small favor? These are authentic shirts purchased by my colleagues back at the studio. They're desperate to get your autograph."
"No problem," Theodore replied readily, taking the marker and signing the jerseys with a fluid flourish.
As he handed the marker back and prepared to bid farewell, the Sky Sports presenter gently caught his arm.
Her cheeks flushed slightly. "Thank you for the autographs. How about I treat you to dinner to celebrate?"
Theodore glanced at the stadium clock. "It's already past midnight. Eating heavy food now might not be good for your health, Kelly. It throws off your metabolism."
Kelly's face visibly fell at his blunt, pragmatic response.
"If you really want to thank me," Theodore continued, a faint challenging smirk playing on his lips.
"You could train with me."
Kelly could hardly believe her ears.
"Are you crazy? I don't even know how to play football," she laughed, looking at him with mild embarrassment.
"You don't have to play. Just help me retrieve the balls."
Kelly blinked, momentarily speechless.
"So you just want me to be your ball girl," she finally realized, shaking her head in amusement.
Theodore shrugged casually. "If you're not up for it, that's fine. I can train alone."
"I'm in." Kelly quickly replied, unwilling to pass up the chance to see the young star's fabled work ethic up close.
"Who said I wasn't? Of course I'm in."
And just like that, the seasoned Sky Sports presenter transformed into a makeshift ball girl on the empty Villa Park pitch!
Theodore trained relentlessly for a full hour before reluctantly leaving the field, still looking as though he wanted more reps.
Being a gentleman, he knew the streets of Birmingham could be unpredictable late at night.
He insisted on personally escorting Kelly back to her hotel before finally returning to the players' dormitory to rest.
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