Bruce edges one step closer to another promotion
THIS may have been Aston Villa’s first-ever play-off match but at least they have a manager who knows how to negotiate post-season passage to the top flight.
Steve Bruce’s four promotions to the Premier League are a record and, with two of those having been via this format, it was no surprise to see his side emerge in control ahead of Tuesday’s second leg.
‘We had to defend well. We went too deep in the second half and it was difficult, but we’ll take that and we look forward to Tuesday,’ said Bruce. ‘It’s a small advantage.’
It was not pretty but it did not have to be. No team has ever been elevated on account of aesthetics. Instead, Villa scored early from a clever set-piece routine through Mile Jedinak and duly absorbed all their hosts could throw at them.
Boro were on the offensive from the off and Mo Besic sent a dipping volley inches over the crossbar.
However, with their first attack of the game on 15 minutes, Villa scored, Jedinak flashing home his header from Jack Grealish’s corner.
Britt Assombalonga spurned three chances to pull the hosts level before Darren Randolph pulled off a quite stunning save to deny Robert Snodgrass from doubling Villa’s advantage.
Boro had plenty of possession but did little with it. That was in part because of their own limitations but more so the resilience of a Villa defence led by captain John Terry.
The former Chelsea skipper’s experience, like that of his manager, could well prove the difference in the coming fortnight.