Aston Villa vs Derby: Villains survive nervy finale to edge Derby in Championship play-off final and clinch promotion to Premier League
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Your support makes all the difference.Follow live action from the Championship play-off final at Wembley as Aston Villa and Derby chase a golden opportunity to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
After a tense start, Anwar El Ghazi gave Villa the lead with a diving header on the stroke of half-time, courtesy of a fine cross from Ahemd Elmohamady. John McGinn then doubled Dean Smith’s side’s lead, outleaping Derby keeper Kelle Roos to put Villa firmly on course for victory.
But Martyn Waghorn sparked a Rams’ fightback, diverting Jack Marriot’s shot into the bottom corner with just under ten minutes to play. Yet despite a nerve-riddled finale, Villa held on to clinch promotion to the Premier League.
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Aston Villa 2-0 Derby
76: Marriott goes close with a clever half-volley. In a crowded area, Marriott latches onto a loose ball and, with his back to goal, swivels to fire an effort at goal. Steer seems to be in control and sees it drag wide of his goal.
Aston Villa 2-0 Derby
77: Grealish almost helps Villa seal it. He works hard to overlap El Ghazi and charges into the box with the ball at his feet. Unselfishly, he tries to find the winger in the middle, but Johnson is well-placed to make a vital interception.
Derby break forward and the ball falls to Wilson, who fires well over.
Aston Villa 2-0 Derby
80: Nervous moments for Villa as they survive a scare from a corner. A bouncing ball is eventually headed away after McGinn is almost caught with the ball at his feet facing his own goal.
Villa hold firm and Bogle fires wide with an effort from range.
Aston Villa 2-1 Derby
Marriott scores!
GAME ON
Derby break forward and almost get through on goal but for a superb tackle from Mings, that sets the ball wide and there are white shirts queuing up in the middle.
The ball eventually falls to Marriott, who takes a touch and fires a low effort beyond Steer.
This is not over yet.
Aston Villa 2-1 Derby
In making that last-ditch challenge, Mings has hurt himself and may not be able to continue. He's been struggling in the last few minutes and it seems that Hause is coming on to replace him, pending one final medical check.
Yep, Mings' race is run and Hause is on to replace him.
Aston Villa 2-1 Derby
SEVEN minutes of added time.
Can Aston Villa hold on, or is there one late twist?
Aston Villa 2-1 Derby
90+3: Derby have had a couple of chances to get forward and do something in the final third but the quality of deliveries is letting the side down.
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