Aston Villa have won promotion to the Premier League after beating Derby County in the Championship Playoff Final at Wembley this afternoon.
The victory for Dean Smith’s side would see them competing back in the top flight of English football at the first time since 2016.
If Derby won, it would have saw them back in the big time since they were relegated from back in 2006, when they were the first club in Premiership history to go down in March but also accumulated the league’s lowest points total since the introduction of 3 points for a win with just 11 points, as well as the record for the fewest wins in a Premier League season with just 1 victory in 38 games.
It was a lively start with Aston Villa the better side in the opening, having more possession and shots than Derby.
Villa’s best chance in the first 10 minutes saw the ball fall to Jack Grealish, who dribbled to the edge of the box and blasted just over.
Shortly after, El Ghazi moved towards the box with a good run but Richard Keogh is there to make a crucial sliding challenge.
Derby made themselves more comfortable, but were yet to create a clear chance.
El Ghazi was booked for tripping up Jayden Bogle when he flicked the ball through his opponent’s legs.
Around 30 minutes on the clock, Harry Wilson hit a free-kick disappointingly out for a goal kick.
Tammy Abraham came to life after having a rather slow start, his effort ended up narrowly over the top of the right corner of the goal.
Mason Mount tested keeper Steer with the first shot on target in the game though was straight at into the Derby stopper’s hands. Villa pushed forward, Jack Grealish found El-Ghazi but he was called offside though replays suggest he in fact wasn’t.
The deadlock finally was broken on the 44th minute, El Ghazi got on the end of a superb El Mohamady cross to head Villa in front and have his side’s supporters singing until players went in down the tunnels for half time.
The breakthrough. ?#AVFC pic.twitter.com/1HyYx2Jsdn
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 27, 2019
The second half saw tempers continue to flare with Villa’s Conor Hourihane, Derby’s Mason Bennett and Fikayo Tomori getting booked for fouls all within three minutes.
Just under 10 minutes later, John McGinn – who has had a cracking season – put Villa 2-0 up, though keeper Kelle Roos should have dealt with it.
More goalkeeping Wembley woes!
Kelle Roos will not want to see this again as his howler allows John McGinn to double @AVFCOfficial's lead.
? Watch the @SkyBetChamp play-off final live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/iVFr84lxFn pic.twitter.com/nlCZgVzrRK
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 27, 2019
Derby had a chance to get themselves one back as Bogle was in space on the right, picked up the ball and got in the penalty area, though instead of passing towards the back post for Martyn Waghorn to tap home, Bogl instead went for goal himself and hit the side netting.
Frank Lampard’s side had a corner drop to Marriott who hit one on the turn but the ball rolled inches wide of the post with just over 10 minutes to play.
Derby continued to knock on the door and it was game on when they found the net on the 81st minute when the ball fell to super sub Jack Marriott inside the penalty area smashed it into the far corner.
Game on!
Marriott the super sub again for Derby and the Rams have ten minutes to get back on level terms
? Watch the @SkyBetChamp play-off final live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/iVFr84lxFn pic.twitter.com/N5alAFwimx
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 27, 2019
There was a lengthly delay as Tyrone Mings went off injured following a tackle on Waghorn.
The nerves for both sides went up a notch with the clock ticking down.
Seven minutes were added on and Derby continued to push, Marriott sent in a dangerous cross from the right into the penalty area, only for no player to meet it.
Despite the Rams keep pushing forward, their equaliser couldn’t be found and Aston Villa had promotion to the Premier League confirmed, creating scenes on the touchline and in the stands.
"A fallen giant is back on its feet" @AVFCOfficial are a Premier League club once again
? Watch reaction live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/iVFr84lxFn pic.twitter.com/DP2TRHO5nw
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 27, 2019
Jack Grealish told Sky Sports after the game: “I’m speechless. It was such a hard game going up against a great team. We knew it was hard and it would go down to the wire.
“Like I said in my last ten interviews when I look around and I’ve John McGinn, Tammy and Anwar [El Ghazi] I feel like we can beat anyone. I can’t describe how happy I am.”
If at first you don't succeed, come back and try again…?
Aston Villa are promoted to the Premier League 12 months after play-off heartache
? Watch reaction live on Sky Sports Football or follow here: https://t.co/iVFr84lxFn pic.twitter.com/huJZ7IWAAw
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 27, 2019
Take a look at fan footage uploaded to social media plus all those tweets from fans at full time on the next page.
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