Villa reach playoff final
LONDON: Aston Villa progressed to within one game of a return to the Premier League after edging West Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion 4-3 on penalties in the Championship playoff semi-finals on Tuesday.
West Brom won 1-0 on the night at the Hawthorns to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate thanks to Craig Dawson’s first-half header.
However, the Baggies’ hopes of an immediate return to the topflight were dented when captain Chris Brunt was sent off 10 minutes from the end of normal time.
The hosts held out manfully during extra-time, but Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer saved West Brom’s first two penalties of the shootout from Mason Holgate and Ahmed Hegazi.
“There’s obviously a lot of luck involved but wow,” Steer told Sky
Sports. “We practise penalties, so I think I must’ve faced a 100 a day the last few days.”
Conor Hourihane, Mile Jedinak, Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham kept their cool from the spot as Villa set up a May 27 Wembley meeting with Leeds or Derby for a lucrative place in the Premier League.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds hold a 10 first-leg lead over Frank Lampard’s Rams ahead of the second leg at Elland Road late yesterday.
West Brom, meanwhile, will approach former Brighton manager Chris Hughton to discuss their vacant manager’s position now it is clear they will be in the Championship for another season.
Hughton has an excellent track record in England’s second tier, gaining promotion with Newcastle and Brighton as well as finishing in the playoff places at Birmingham amid financial difficulties.
Hawthorns chiefs want to see if Hughton, 60, is ready for an immediate return to management after his shock sacking and have made him their main target. Patrick Vieira is another name on West Brom’s list. Vieira took over at Nice last June having managed New York City for three years.
West Brom face a major summer of rebuilding, with Jay Rodriguez and Craig Dawson likely to attract big clubs interest and loan players Dwight Gayle, Mason Holgate and Stefan Johansen returning to their parent clubs.