Two penalty saves Steer Villa into play-off final against ten-man Baggies
Goal keeper J ed Steer was the hero for Aston Villa last night, saving two penalties in the shootout against ten-man West Brom to take his side to the final of the Sky Bet Championship play-off.
Villa led the semi-final 2-1 from the first leg but West Brom, despite seeing Chris Brunt dismissed on 80 minutes, won 1-0 last night thanks to a first-half Craig Dawson header. It meant the West Midlands derby rivals needed to be separated by spot-kicks.
Steer saved West Brom’ s first two kicks from Mason Holgate and Ahmed Hegazi. Villa could afford for Albert Adomah to sky his effort over the bar and it was left to Tammy Abraham to hit the winner.
It had taken the hosts 29 minutes to level the tie. Tyrone Mings conceded a corner and, although Villa cleared it, the resultant long throw caused them bigger problems. Mason Holgate launched the ball into the box and Dawson glanced a header into the bottom corner, which bounced in off the post.
The game was being played at a frantic pace but no one could add to Dawson’s goal. The Baggies looked like they were missing the suspended Dwight Gay le–who has scored 24 goals this season but was sent off in the first leg at Villa Park – and, here, they were down to ten men again.
Brunt and John Mcginn’s battle had been long-running. Just before half-time Mcginn took issue with a strong tackle from Brunt, who seemed to step on the Scotland midfielder’ s hand. It was difficult to tell whether Brunt meant it but the referee took no action.
The West Bro mm id fielder did find his way into Chris Kavanagh’s book on 67 minutes, though, for another tackle on Mcginn and then received his second yellow card – then red – ten minutes from the end of normal time with another lunge at the Scot.
Brunt looked devastated as he made his way in for an early bath and Villa’s Abraham fired the resultant free -kick way over the bar.
Villa couldn’ t make their numerical advantage count. They had a great chance to avoid extra-time when Adomah lashed a left-foot shot at goal. West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone showed terrific reactions to beat the ball away with a strong hand.
The ten man of West Brom held on for another 30 minutes but Villa prevailed in the shoot-out and will face either Leeds United or Derby at Wembley on Monday 27 May.