Aston Villa took a step closer to Wembley with a 2-1 victory over West Brom in the first leg of the EFL Championship Playoff semi-final and Dean Smith’s side will be the favourites when they make the trip to the Hawthorns to face off against the Baggies on Wednesday for the second leg.
The Lions fought back brilliantly in the first leg on Saturday courtesy of goals from Conor Hourihane and Tammy Abraham after Dwight Gayle had put the Baggies in front.
Villa only have a slender advantage going into the second-leg and they will need to be at the top of their game to overcome their Midlands rivals away from home on Wednesday.
Tyrone Mings picked up a hamstring injury in the first-leg triumph and the Bournemouth loanee is doubtful to play a part in the second-leg at Hawthorns. James Chester (knee) and Orjan Nyland (Achilles tendon) are ruled out. Apart from that, Villa have no injury concerns as such.
He has done a terrific job between the sticks for the Lions this season and was once again at the top of his game on Saturday to deny Jay Rodriguez.
The Egyptian veteran put in a number of good deliveries into the box in the last game and looked assured defensively.
The Man United loanee has been an absolute rock at the back for Villa this season and he dealt with almost everything that came his way in the first leg.
The Wolves loanee has put in some solid shifts at the back since his arrival in January and he might replace Mings in the starting eleven.
The left-back didn’t do much wrong in the first leg victory and he will be expected to retain his place.
The Irishman scored a fantastic goal to get Villa back into the game in the first leg and he should start ahead of Glen Whelan who had a woeful outing.
The youngster made a positive impact off the bench in the dying stages of the first leg and he deserves a start ahead of Albert Adomah, who made little impact on Saturday.
He was one of the standout performers for Villa in the first leg and should surely start away from home on Wednesday.
The Scotsman had a bit of an off-day in the first leg against West Brom but he has been a hugely influential presence in the midfield all season.
Villa’s star man was involved in the moments that mattered the most in the first leg victory and the Lions will look up to him to spark creativity once again.
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The Chelsea loanee scored his 26th goal of the season on Saturday and Villa will need their talismanic forward to fire on all cylinders in the second leg to propel them to the finals.