AB FAB AGAIN IN VILLA ROMP Hot-shot Tammy makes it seven in four games

TAMMY ABRAHAM kept up his amazing scoring streak as Villa maintained their push for a play-off place — and a remarkable Riverside run.

Skipper James Chester handed his side a deserved 20th-minute lead and on-loan Chesea striker Abraham grabbed his seventh goal in four games on 64 minutes.

Boro keeper Darren Randolph was then guilty of a calamitous mistake seven minutes from time when he allowed sub Glenn Whelan’s shot to squirm through his hands and over the line.

That secured Villa boss Dean Smith a fifth win in eight games since replacing Steve Bruce in October.

And Villa are now unbeaten in their last seven matches at this ground – winning six of them. Yannick Bolasie, who spurned the chance to join Boro on loan from Everton this summer, was making only his second start for Villa on a season-long deal.

And the jet-heeled DR Congo wideman soon made an impression with a dangerous low, left-wing ball that Abraham turned goalward only for Randolph to pull off a fine one- handed save. Abraham then saw a close-range effort blocked as Villa wasted no time in imposing themselves on the game.

And they should have been awarded a penalty in the 18th minute when Boro skipper George Friend trod on the foot of Abraham just inside the box.

But the visitors did not have long to wait for a breakthrough. Grealish swung over a left-wing corner and when Randolph missed his punch, Chester bundled the ball home.

Dutch winger Anwar El Ghazi then worked an inviting opening for himself, but the loanee from Lille let Boro off the hook as he lifted his finish well over. The home side also wasted a great chance when keeper Orjan Nyland f lapped at Friend’s centre and Stewart Downing somehow headed away from goal.

Bolasie fizzed a ball across the face of Boro’s goal early in the second half before he was involved in a collision with Dael Fry, which forced the defender to go off. Soon after, the winger laid it on a plate for Abraham, who made no mistake.

Jordan Hugill crashed a shot against the bar 10 minutes from time as Boro tried to rally before Whelan sealed the win.