With a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium at the weekend, Aston Villa already have one foot in the Play-Off Final as we look to tonight’s second leg at Villa Park.
What. A. Result! Mile Jedinak's first-half header sends us back to Villa Park with a one-goal advantage. A superb away performance. Back five colossal. Midfield full of energy. Let's give it everything on home turf on Tuesday! 👊#PartOfThePride pic.twitter.com/eLVmBjGhLF
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 12, 2018
Nobody can get carried away or complacent, but we have the advantage and we have to make sure that counts for something later this evening.
Reflecting on the weekend’s clash, Bruce was clear he felt we could’ve ‘kept’ the ball better across the 90 and certainly ‘used’ it more productively in the second half, but a ‘terrific’ first half period enabled us to make the difference.
With fans again debating what line-up we will go with for the second tie, Bruce also reflected on the huge decision to lead with Mile Jedinak and not Glenn Whelan, explaining that he felt horrible telling Whelan he was on the bench, but ultimately the decision paid off both defensively from our Aussie beard, but also tellingly when it came to the scoresheet.
🗣 The boss reacts to our 1-0 win over Middlesbrough…#PartOfThePride #AVFC pic.twitter.com/n5FG0X5Vjb
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 12, 2018
The game did, of course, see Ahmed Elmohamady substituted with a hamstring issue. Bruce has since explained that he is now a major doubt for the game later this evening, but otherwise, we should have the same group to choose from as we look to put another one over Tony Pulis.
Bruce’s full comments ahead of the game can be found by Clicking Here.
The only other bit I’ll pick out for a quoting are his words on the balance of the tie.
“There’s no doubt we have a small advantage and that we’re pleased. But that’s all it is. The one thing we’re going to have to do is play as well tomorrow as we did at the Riverside. Defensively we were very good. To get a clean sheet against a Middlesbrough team who have been scoring freely of late was excellent. That has to continue. We need to show the same kind of determination as we did to get a result. It has to be everyone’s focus. We’ve given ourselves a wonderful chance. It’ll be a great spectacle. Let’s see if we can see it through.”
A sensible approach in the main, point out what we did that was good, a few errors to keep feet on the ground and acknowledge the balance to point out Boro have to come at us and then we see if the game plan of hitting them on the break, as I presume will be the plan, gets us a greater advantage and kills the match off early.
There was also stand out praise for Alan Hutton for his ongoing performances this year and Bruce again repeated that the moment he’s capable of putting a deal in front of him it will be offered and Hutton himself knows that.
Let’s all hope we’re toasting a Wembley trip tonight!
One of the best performances. Phew. I can breathe till Tuesday now.
— MrShafMan (@MrShafMan) May 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/AndySawyer29/status/995384552095932416
https://twitter.com/MagicLittleUn/status/995407114075074560
Cometh the hour, cometh the Jedi. 🙌#AVFC #UTV pic.twitter.com/aqxrejos2w
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 12, 2018
Brilliant Team efford from Aston Villa tonite now comes the hard work , Tuesday we start from scratch. Nil/ Nil we are at home . UTV . Believe lads #Class !
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) May 12, 2018
1-0
Half Time!
Half a job done!CONGRATULATIONS! #UTV @AVFCOfficial
👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 pic.twitter.com/SuVtB1E8fJ— Dion Dublin (@DionDublinsDube) May 12, 2018
