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 12:56 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

24: West Brom have won 17 of the 21 games in which they’ve taken the lead this season, not something you'd want to hear if you're a Villa fan. 

El Ghazi runs brilliantly down the left wing but Bartley does well to see him out of the play in the penalty area. 

[11 May 2019 13:00 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

28: Scrappy stuff now as Villa can't really fashion anything while the visitors look lively every chance they get at potentially stealing the ball and breaking with pace.

[11 May 2019 13:01 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

29: Villa corner is worked short and Grealish dribbles his way into the box but his shot is high, wide and not handsome in the slightest.

Exactly the man you'd want in that position but no quality at the end of it.

[11 May 2019 13:03 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

Give Gayle a chance and he will pounce. 

[11 May 2019 13:05 · digitalsport]

YELLOW CARD! ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM (Holgate)

33: Holgate loses the ball in a dangerous position on the left and he has no choice but to bring El Ghazi down!

Villa building again with lots of play outside the box.

[11 May 2019 13:09 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

36: Loose ball from the visitors falls to El Ghazi, who has been a constant presence on that left hand side, and he drives again at the Baggies defence.

He puts an enticing ball into the middle but it's just about cleared!

Better from Villa, can they end the half with an equaliser?

[11 May 2019 13:11 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

39: Frustrating time for the home side.

They keep getting to the edge of the West Brom penalty area but the visitors are organised and supremely well set up.

[11 May 2019 13:16 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

42: Pause in proceedings here as Dawson is down for West Brom.

After an edgy start the Baggies have really done a job on Villa so far and that's reflected in how quiet Villa Park has got.

Could hear a pin drop or Whelan's angry thought processes in here right now. 

[11 May 2019 13:18 · digitalsport]

ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

45+1: Hurrah! They're awake!

After a lengthy stoppage Dawson is okay and we have five minutes of added on time here at the end of the first half.

The announcement of which brings out some noise from the home supporters.

Will that spur them into a response before the break?

[11 May 2019 13:26 · digitalsport]

HALF TIME! ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROM

Nothing to see in the five minutes of added time and we head into the break with the visitors one up!

For the opening 15 minutes it looked like Villa would dominate proceedings as they had all the ball but it became clear this pattern was because the Baggies were sitting deep and absorbing the pressure ready to counter.

Boy, did they counter when they got the chance.

Whelan, receiving the ball from Grealish, attempts to control it but fresh airs it and Gayle is allowed to break at the last man and fire past Steer into the bottom right corner.

It could have been two as only a wondersave from Steer to tip Rodriguez's effort onto the bar denied the Baggies!

Villa will need to find a way to break the visitors down in the second half if they are to avoid handing West Brom a big advantage going into the second leg!