Aston Villa vs West Brom LIVE: Dwight Gayle sent off as Villa take edge in Championship play-off semi-final

Follow all the latest from the crucial meeting at Villa Park

Marcelo Bielsa preview Leeds vs Derby County

West Brom were beaten by Aston Villa in a massive West Midlands derby in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Baggies went in front when Dwight Gayle reacted quickly to a mistake in the Villa defence and slotted the ball home.

But Gayle was later sent off after Villa had hit back with two quickfire goals, with Tammy Abraham's penalty earning a 2-1 win.

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Key Points

• Dwight Gayle pounces on a mistake to put West Brom in front
• Villa score two quick goals before Gayle sent off
• Derby and Leeds to come later for football's most lucrative prize

[11 May 2019 11:37 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Championship play-offs!

[11 May 2019 11:42 · digitalsport]

[11 May 2019 11:54 · digitalsport]

46 games of hard slog have all come down to this.

Two teams, Norwich and Sheffield United, will be playing Premier League football next season but who will be joining them? 

Leeds, West Brom, Aston Villa and Derby all have a return to top flight football within their grasp.

Over the course of the next five sure to be thrilling and dramatic games we shall find out.

Let's get going. 

[11 May 2019 11:57 · digitalsport]

Villa Park looking as glorious as ever 

We start the opening legs of the Championship play-off semi-finals with a tasty looking fixture at Villa Park.

Fierce West Midlands rivals Aston Villa and West Brom go head to head looking to put one foot into the final.

[11 May 2019 12:03 · digitalsport]

TEAM NEWS 

First things first, the team news is in!

The hosts were sweating on the fitness of their star striker Tammy Abraham, who missed the final three games of the season due to a shoulder problem, but the big news is that he returns to the Villa starting line-up!

Jack Grealish and John McGinn both return too as the Villans name their strongest possible 11. 

[11 May 2019 12:07 · digitalsport]

TEAM NEWS 

The visitors welcome back Matt Phillips and Chris Brunt, Brunt having missed West Brom's final day defeat to Derby.

Forward Hal Robson-Kanu is a big absentee though, he starts a three-match suspension following his red card against Derby on Sunday.

[11 May 2019 12:17 · digitalsport]

Aston Villa's route to the play-offs

It's been an up and down season for Villa manager Dean Smith, who took charge of a disjointed Villans side in October, languishing down in 14th position.

Smith inspired a new manager boost as Villa fought their way back up the table until, with star man Jack Grealish out injured, a slide back down the table took shape.

Upon Grealish's return he was handed the captaincy by Smith and this proved an inspired move as Villa went on a club record run of 10 successive wins to eventually finish 5th on 76 points, four behind local rivals West Brom. 

[11 May 2019 12:24 · digitalsport]

West Brom's route to the play-offs 

Despite sacking Darren Moore in March, West Brom have enjoyed a good season consistently near the top of the table.

Caretaker boss Jimmy Shan will be feeling the heat today in the biggest match of his managerial career but he's been a calm presence on the touchline during his time in charge so far.

A reminder also that the Baggies beat Villa in February on route to finishing a strong fourth in the table.

[11 May 2019 12:26 · digitalsport]

Dean Smith has been speaking to Sky: “It’s a different Aston Villa now to the one that West Brom played in February.

"We’re in a really good run of form. Confidence is high but we know this is a tough game today. The players are ready and there’s a freshness about them. There’s certainly a lot of belief as well.”

[11 May 2019 12:27 · digitalsport]

James Shan, meanwhile, has been singing the praises of Chris Brunt and Matty Phillips who return to the starting line-up today: “Their level of experience is going to be key today, the quality both players provide for us.

"Chris has been a key player, he offers a lot, and Matty gives us so much going forward. And both players are key to our set-play delivery as well.”