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Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom: Tammy Abraham penalty gives hosts play-off advantage


Aston Villa fought back to take a 2-1 lead from the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

Conor Hourihane and Tammy Abraham got the goals for Villa after Dwight Gayle had opened the scoring for West Brom.

And the Baggies’ task in the second leg has been made even harder after top scorer Gayle was sent off for a second yellow late on.

A Glenn Whelan mistake let in Gayle after 16 minutes at Villa Park and the Newcastle loanee punished the hosts.

He unleashed a fierce drive from outside the box to send the travelling fans wild.

Dwight Gayle of West Bromwich Albion celebrates

Aston Villa’s Conor Hourihane scores

Villa looked to be frustrated as they failed to find a way past a resolute West Brom defence, with Ahmed Hegazi particularly impressive.

But they finally made their pressure pay thanks to a stunning strike from Ireland midfielder Hourihane.

Grealish created space for Hourihane and when he laid the ball off and the midfielder’s first-time strike from 20 yards flew just inside a post.

Tammy Abraham scores his side’s second goal

Dwight Gayle is shown a second yellow card

Within a matter of minutes the hosts were ahead as Abraham coolly slotted home from the spot.

Kieran Gibbs tripped the excellent Jack Grealish and Chelsea loanee Abraham tucked home the penalty.

Albion’s woes were compounded with two minutes left when, already on a yellow card, Gayle slid in to reach James Morrison’s cross but clattered Steer and saw red.

He will now sit out the second leg at the Hawthorns on Tuesday night.

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