It’s all gearing up for the most important game of the Championship season. Wembley is set for the scenes, and the 3rd and 4th best clubs in the league are set to battle it out for a place in Premier League football.
Aston Villa come into this game on the back of an excellent semi-final victory against Middlesbrough. Tony Pulis’ team have been a tough nut to crack all season but Bruce’s Villa managed to pass them without too many issues. The second leg draw was built on an incredibly stable defence, which they will be looking to continue in the final against a dangerous Fulham attack.
Probable Aston Villa XI
Manager: Steve Bruce
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Sam Johnstone (GK)
The young goalkeeper, on loan from Manchester United, has been influential in helping Villa to the final. He will be hoping to help Villa to one more clean sheet in the final and to help his loan team into the Premier League.
Alan Hutton (LB)
Hutton adds great experience to the left-hand side of the Aston Villa defence. He is also a threat going forward and Bruce will be hoping that the player helps push back the right-hand side of that Fulham team.
John Terry (CB)
John Terry has been absolutely fantastic in the heart of the Aston Villa defence this season and ever since moving to the Midlands club, it has seemed like it is his destiny to take them back into the Premier League. Only one more game to go.
James Chester (CB)
Chester has really excelled this season and the partnership he has formed with John Terry has been absolutely essential to where Villa have ended up this season. He is a very good defender in his own right but Terry seems to have taken him to the next level.
Ahmed Elmohamady (RB)
Elmohamady was injured for the semi-final against Middlesbrough but is set to return for this game. Steve Bruce will be very pleased with the playoff experience he will bring to the defence. If Aston Villa win, it will be Elmohamady’s second play-off final promotion in three years.
Mile Jedinak (CDM)
The central defensive midfielder was Villa’s most influential player over the two semi-final legs. He grabbed the essential goal in the first round and then defended excellently in the second. He was absolutely everywhere for his team.
Albert Adomah (LM)
Adomah may not be converting chances in the same way as he was doing earlier in the season but his pace and power still offer Bruce a fantastic option on the left-hand side. He will be looking for a big performance in this final.
Conor Hourihane (CM)
The central midfielder adds composure and tenacity in the midfield. He didn’t have a great semi-final but is a mainstay in that Villa midfield.
Jack Grealish (CM)
He is the creative spark in this Aston Villa team and seems to have really thrived this season. After the semi-final, it was clear to see that Terry has been helping him improve his game off the pitch and it has really helped him become better on the pitch.
Robert Snodgrass (RM)
Snodgrass was very unlucky not to get on the scoresheet over the two semi-final legs and will be hoping to change that record in the final. He is a different class on the right-wing and will be a massive danger to that Fulham defence.
Lewis Grabban (ST)
Lewis Grabban has had an excellent season in the Championship and the powerful striker will be hoping to score that all-important goal in the final.
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