Mile Jedinak strike gives Aston Villa slender play-off lead

A Mile Jedinak header secured Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough after the first leg of their Championship play-off encounter.

Boro began in the ascendancy but found themselves behind when Mile Jedinak rose highest to plant a header past Darren Randolph with just 15 minutes gone.

The home side were the better outfit for large swathes of the game but, despite having more possession and more efforts on goal, were unable to prise a leveller.

The teams meet again on Tuesday at Villa Park for the right to progress to the final at Wembley where they will face either Derby County or Fulham.

New experience for Villa, but not their manager. Steve Bruce will be the first to say it is only half time in this semi final, but this victory will enhance the belief amongst Villans that they are on track to return to the big time after enduring relegation back in May 2016. This may have been Villa's first ever play-off match, but Bruce has form when it comes to promotions to the Premier League and on this evidence he could yet be celebrating a fifth - and a third in the play offs - if his resilient side can complete the job on Tuesday and book a Wembley showdown with Derby or Fulham on May 26.

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa). Provided a touch of Premier League class in midfield with some superb composure on the ball and a lovely range of passing. Boro recognised him as a dangerman and dished out some rough treatment, but the 22-year-old continued to get on the ball and drive forward with some probing runs.

BORO: Randolph 7, Shotton 6, Ayala 7, Gibson 7, Friend 6, Clayton 7, Besic 7, Howson 7, Traore 7, Downing 6, Assombalonga 7. Subs: Fabio 6, Bamford 6.VILLA: Johnstone 7, Elmohamady 7, Chester 7, Terry 7, Hutton 8, Snodgrass 7, Hourihane 6, Jedinak 7, Adomah 7, Grealish 8, Grabban 6. Subs: Kodjia 6, Bjarnason n/a, Whelan n/a.

15' - GOAL! Boro 0-1 Villa. Jedinak makes a dash to the near post to meet Grealish's left-wing corner and guide his header into the far corner.

32' - VILLA CHANCE! Snodgrass rises well to meet Adomah's left-wing cross, but he can only thump his header over the crossbar.

37' - BORO CHANCE! Assombalonga's diving header from close range is somehow kept out by Johnstone following Traore's devilish cross from the left.

44' - VILLA HIT THE POST! Snodgrass takes aim with sublime curler from 25 yards, but sees his effort tipped onto the post by the fingertips of Randolph.

82' - BORO CHANCE! Fabio beats his marker and heads towards the near post, but Johnstone is there to palm it to safety.

90+3' - BORO CHANCE! Bamford's lay off falls for Fabio who sees his low drive deflect just wide from 10 yards out.