CLARET & PHEW!

Bruce on way to Wembley as keeper Sam escapes red

STEVE BRUCE’S Villa survived a nerve-jangling night to set up a play-off final clash with Fulham.

But they will have to be better than this at Wembley if they are to return to the Premier League, because Middlesbrough pushed them all the way.

The hosts were protecting a 1-0 lead from the first leg courtesy of Mile Jedinak.

However, the visitors bossed the first half as they tried to even up the contest.

Yet Tony Pulis’ side were unable to make their dominance count and failed to test Sam Johnstone.

The Villa keeper was fortunate to stay on the pitch when he handled a goalbound shot outside the penalty area.

Referee Mike Dean deemed a yellow card sufficient punishment and from the resulting free-kick Stewart Downing hit the bar.

Villa held out to give boss Bruce a real shot at a fifth promotion to the topflight.

After the cruel loss of both his parents this year, few will begrudge him that. He twice led Birmingham and Hull to promotion, but reckons this would be his greatest feat.

Bruce may have the calming presence of skipper John Terry, but has had to rely largely on loans amid financial cut-backs.

Yet when Villa

Park is packed as it was last night, it is a testing arena for opponents.

Villa wore black armbands and there was a minute’s applause before kick-off as a mark of respect to their former defender Jlloyd Samuel, who died in a car crash.

Bruce (above) was forced into a change from the first leg as Ahmed Elmohamady, who hobbled off at Boro, was ruled out.

Pulis turned to youngster Dael Fry to replace the injured Daniel Ayala.

The game was a cagey affair with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances early on.

Britt Assombalonga had a brief sight of goal in the 19th minute when Ryan Shotton’s long throw was not cleared, but seemed taken by surprise and ballooned over.

Middlesbrough had the best of the first half but Villa might have taken the lead in the 34th minute when Albert Adomah played a clever low ball across the box only for George Friend to clear as Conor Hourihane prepared to pounce.

James Chester missed a great chance to open the scoring on the night and make it 2-0 overall. The defender did well in the 39th minute to turn in the box but dragged his right-foot shot wide when Jack Grealish’s corner was knocked back by Lewis Grabban.

Assombalonga gave the hosts a major scare before the break with an electric run from his own half, the danger being scrambled clear by the impressive Chester.

After the restart Boro continued to dominate possession and apply pressure.

But Villa weathered the storm and began to look the more dangerous side.

Boro’s Darren Randolph had to make a smart save in the 60th minute from Grabban after good play by Adomah and Grealish.

He was called into action again 10 minutes later to palm over Grabban’s rising drive from distance, then made another good save from Grealish’s rightfooted curler.

Pulis threw on all his subs to try and change the tide but Downing’s 89thminute free-kick which hit the woodwork was the closest they came.