Championship play-off semi-final: Aston Villa 0 Middlesbrough 0 (1-0 on aggregate) - Player ratings

Sam Johnstone

The keeper survived a huge scare when he handled a Adama Traore flick in the closing stages but was only given a yellow card by referee Mike Dean. Otherwise, Johnstone handled well on what proved a relatively quiet night for the Manchester United loanee. 6/10

James Bree

Handed only his fourth league start of the season, the 20-year-old had to cope with the threat of both Stewart Downing and the lively Friend. But he stuck to the task well and was on hand when needed to clear a goal-bound Ryan Shotton header. 7/10

James Chester

A commanding performance from the centre-back who didn’t put a foot wrong at the heart of the defence. Chester’s positional nous ensured he was often in the right place to sweep up any danger. He was also tidy and composed in possession as Villa restricted Boro to very little. 8/10

John Terry

A calming presence at the back, the former England captain kept Britt Assomalonga in check. His experience also ensured he made a number of well-timed headers and interceptions in what was an overall professional performance from his side. 7/10

Alan Hutton

The left-back was booked for foul on Adama Traore. But just like in the first-leg, Hutton looked comfortable against the former Villa winger. 7/10

Roberts Snodgrass

A tenacious display from the Scotsman which again defied his status as a loan player. Snodgrass worked his socks off to help protect Bree and showed flashes of quality when he got on the ball. 8/10

Conor Hourihane

The former Barnsley man put in a box-to-box display with the Irishman often the trigger for Villa’s pressing game. Hourihane almost created something out of nothing when he charged down a Darren Randolph clearance in the first-half. He also did his best to get in-behind the Boro defence when the opportunity arose. 6/10

Mile Jedinak

A solid if unspectacular performance from the midfield enforcer who broke things up in the middle of the park and kept things ticking over when in possession. Jedinak’s marshalling of his defence played his part in Boro creating next to nothing. 6/10

Albert Adomah

Dangerous at times, frustrating on other occasions, Adomah proved an intriguing outlet down the left. The Ghanaian found Lewis Grabban with a cheeky back-heel in the first-half. He also set up the striker with a dangerous low cross after the interval. There were times however when his final ball went missing. 7/10

Jack Grealish

Incredibly comfortable on the ball, Grealish forced Randolph into a fine save with a dipping and curling strike from 20-yards. The Solihull-born star also worked tirelessly for his team. Villa perhaps needed to get him on the ball more. 7/10

Lewis Grabban

An isolated figure at times, Grabban did spring to life when Villa worked their way into dangerous areas. Saw one effort from close range and one effort from distance saved by Randolph in the second-half. Made way for Jonathan Kodja with around 15 minutes remaining. 6/10

Subs

Jonathan Kodja (for Grabban 79)

Showed some nice touches as Villa looked to close out the tie in the closing stages.

Glenn Whelan (for Hourihane 85)

Provided some extra legs in midfield.

Birkir Bjarnason (for Adomah 90+1)