Monk was the surprise choice to be handed the reigns back in February when Michael Laudrup was sacked but presiding over his fourth league success this afternoon was enough to ensure that the Swans stay in the Premier League extends to at least four seasons with their safety not mathematically assured one week after it looked all but certain.
A failure to win for both Norwich and Fulham together with the crunch battle tomorrow between Sunderland and Cardiff meant that the 4-1 win for the Swans was enough to mean that they cannot be caught and overtaken by three teams and can now start their official planning for next season and the trips to the elite clubs in the English league structure.
Two goals from Wilfried Bony, a Jonjo Shelvey wonder strike and one from Pablo Hernandez gave the Swans one of their most convincing wins of the season and lifted them into 12th place in the table.
รขโฌลIt was a fantastic result for us.” said Monk
รขโฌลFour goals, a good team performance and good football.
รขโฌลThatรขโฌโขs what we wanted.
รขโฌลWe got the early goal but Villa came back and dominated.
รขโฌลThey put us on the back foot and could get our rhythm.
รขโฌลIt took a spectacular goal from Jonjo to give us back our confidence and that feeling of being back on top again.
รขโฌลBut there was only one team in it in the second half, we were totally dominant in every aspect.
รขโฌลWeรขโฌโขve been in positions at half-time where weรขโฌโขve been dominant and taken the lead, but then weรขโฌโขve been punished.
รขโฌลBut we started the second half properly and there was some great passing, great movement and great goals in the end.รขโฌย
On the morning of the game, the Daily Mirror had proclaimed that Monk had already done enough to secure himself the job on a permanent basis although nothing has been confirmed from the club and it seems certain that nothing will be until the end of the season at the earliest.
Monk himself was playing down the speculation when he said รขโฌลMy mission was to make the club safe
รขโฌลWe targeted 40 points and we could do that.
รขโฌลWe will see what happens about my future.
รขโฌลI will speak to the chairman and the board soon to clarify things for the best of everyone.”