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As it happenedended

Championship play-off final, Aston Villa vs Fulham - LIVE: Latest reaction from Wembley

All the latest from Wembley Stadium

Jack Watson
Saturday 26 May 2018 19:39 BST
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Championship play-off final preview

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Aston Villa and Fulham meet in the richest game in English football.

Wolves and Cardiff have already earned their place back in the Premier League Promised Land and now one of Villa or Fulham will join them. The two meet at Wembley Stadum with everything on the line and a £170m+ prize for the victor.

The game kicks off at 5pm as a nice starter to the Champions League final main course a little later on this evening.

We will have all the latest updates for you right here.


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Preview

What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 5pm at Wembley Stadium

Where can I watch it?

The match is live on Sky Sports Football or Sky Sports Main Event

What are they saying?

Steve Bruce: "Expectation is huge here but that's why I went for experience. I've thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of my 19 months here. Can we now top it off by getting where we want to be?"

Slavisa Jokanovic: "We're the youngest team. We must try to dominate the situation and put them under stress. We're probably the team with more energy. Experience in life is important but it's not everything - all of us can make mistakes."

Who is going to win?

Villa 12/5

Draw 21/10

Fulham 7/5

38: Jack Grealish dives from deep and draws a foul from Denis Odoi who picks up a yellow card. Two centre-backs now with a long way to go with yellow cards.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:40

39: Robert Snodgrass chips the free kick over the wall and finds Jack Grealish unmarked. He has his back to goal and waits for the ball to come down before striking a half-volley over. That's Villa's best chance of the half.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:41

40: The Villa defence goes walkabouts and Ryan Fredricks is almost in but for a last-ditch Mile Jedinak tackle. Aston Villa are looking very vulnerable at the back.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:42

41: Big chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic.

We've seen him score these kind of goals for fun every since he joined Fulham. Some lovely one-touch play on the edge of the box between Kamara, Cairney and Mitrovic sets up an opening for the Serbian forward just inside the box. He could hit it first time but takes a shot and has an effort blocked.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:43

42: James Chester and Sam Johnstone get in a mix up at the back and almost set up Aleksandar Mitrovic with an open goal. Now I'm no top football manager, but that's not wise, chaps. 

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:44

45: Fulham kick the ball out for Stefan Johansen to receive some treatment after tackling Mile Jedinak as we enter two minutes of added time.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:47

Aston Villa 0-1 Fulham

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:49

Half Time

Tom Cairney was on the receiving end of Ryan Sessegnon's delightful through pass, and the finish was not bad either. He caressed the ball past Sam Johnstone with a very calm finish from inside the box. 

Aston Villa may feel Ryan Fredericks is lucky to remain on the pitch after appearing to tread on Jack Grealish. Grealish has been Villa's best player and had a chance to equalise when he collected Robert Snodgrass' clever free kick, but he volleyed over.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 17:52

The history suggests this is Fulham's to lose. 

Jack Watson26 May 2018 18:03

Back underway

Neither side make any changes and Aston Villa get the second half underway.

Jack Watson26 May 2018 18:05

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