Hello and welcome to the play-off final for the Championship, which this year will see Aston Villa play against Fulham. The two teams who were earmarked by many beforehand have reached the most expensive match in the game. The winner not only gets to play Premier League football but also nets more than £100 million.
But before we look ahead to this moment, let’s see how we got to this moment. In their play-off semi-finals, Aston Villa after beating Middlesbrough away 1-0 knew a win or a draw would be enough to secure promotion. Given their form this season, it would have been a shock had Pulis’ Boro reached the final. Instead it was Bruce’s Villa, who manage to ease some of the pain their manager has felt in the last couple of months.
Fulham went into their second-leg knowing that anything but a win would be enough, after losing 1-0 in their first-leg against Derby. The Rams, plagued by inconsistency, and Fulham’s strong home form saw the Cottagers win 2-0, with young wing-back Ryan Sessegnon highlighting why he is the young star of the season getting on the score sheet. Sessgnon’s form was so good that he was even considered a late shoe-in for the England World Cup squad.
So now we wait, as at 5pm on Saturday, May 26, Aston Villa face off against Fulham at Wembley. Steve Bruce will be looking to steal his record back from Neil Warnock for the most promotions to the top-flight. Both managers are currently on four promotions, but a win for Bruce could see him take back the crown. Fulham will come into the match as slight favourites after finishing the season in 3rd spot. Fulham have been nothing but patient since their relegation back to the Championship, and they will feel that with the talent of Sessegnon, they should have enough to get over the line. However Bruce’s Villa have Premier League experience in their ranks, with Alan Hutton and John Terry at the back. They will feel that they need to do all they can to make Steve Bruce’s season much better after the loss of his parents. At the beginning of the season after a rocky start, many felt that neither Villa nor Bruce for that matter would be at this stage. They will be hoping that Hogan can fire them to glory.
And there you have it, thank you for joining us through the season and have a good summer.
Fatman Football Fan 