Championship play-off final: Aston Villa 0 Fulham 1 - Report and pictures

Cairney slipped home the only goal of the Championship play-off final in the 23rd minute, following superb work by Ryan Sessegnon.

Villa pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half and Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli prevented Jack Grealish from netting a superb solo effort.

Fulham played the last 20 minutes with with ten men after Denis Odoi saw red but Villa could not find a way through.

Analysis

Both Grealish and Fulham's Ryan Fredericks could also have been sent-off in a tempestuous match which sprang to life in the second period, after Fulham had controlled the first-half with ease.

Villa ultimately paid the price for a passive performance in the first 45 minutes as boss Steve Bruce's hopes of a fifth promotion from the Championship were ended in Wembley heartbreak.

Grealish's chance, after a superb solo run, was the closest they came and Fulham still had their chances, even when Bruce's men had the better of it in the second period.

Another season in the Championship awaits. As does mounting financial uncertainty with the futures of several star players - including skipper John Terry - now seriously in doubt.

Promotion would have earned Villa a £132million windfall. Instead they will now have to cut costs in order to fall in line with Financial Fair Play rules.

Bruce was handed a boost before kick-off with Ahmed Elmohamady winning his fitness battle.

The Egyptyian international, who had missed the second leg of Villa's semi-final win over Middlesbrough with a hamstring injury, returned to the starting line-up in place of James Bree, who dropped to the bench.

With 38,000 fans roaring them on, the atmosphere was predictably highly-charged at kick-off.

Yet their start was ragged and set the tone for an underwhelming first-half performance.

Villa, admittedly, had the first attempt on goal, even though Robert Snodgrass's left-footed drive was dragged well wide.

It was Fulham, however, who looked the far sharper unit from the get-go and on 23 minutes they carved Villa open to take the lead.

Ryan Sessegnon was the creator, showing superb control to bring down Johanson's pass, ride the challenge of Hourihane and slide in a pass for Cairney, who swept the ball beyond Villa keeper Sam Johnstone and into the bottom corner.

Villa's afternoon might have got worse had Sessegnon been able to direct a far post header either side of Johnstone shortly afterward.

Yet Fulham were also fortunate to reach half-time with a full compliment of players, after Fredericks escaped any punishment for a stamp on Grealish.

The incident, which occured right in front of the dug-outs, was missed by referee Anthony Taylor and the fourth official, Kevin Friend.

Grealish began to see more of the ball as the break approached and Villa's big chance of the half would fall to him.

A training ground free-kick routine saw Snodgrass chip the ball into the box but Grealish, under pressure, could only hammer a half-volley over the bar.

Villa had to be better in the second half and they started promisingly.

Again a big chance fell to Grealish. Adomah whipped in a cross and the playmaker beat Bettinelli to the ball but his header flew over.

Conor Hourihane then whipped the ball invitingly across the face of goal only for Lewis Grabban to have stopped his run.

Fulham still looked dangerous and Villa had an escape when Mitrovic jumped in front of Terry to meet Matt Targett's cross but could only direct his header wide.

But it was Villa who were very much on top and Bettinelli denied Grealish from scoring one of the great Wembley goals.

Picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, Grealish danced past three defenders but saw his shot blocked by the keeper.

Having shown off the beautiful side of his game, the Villa star then showed the ugly with a late and rash challenge on Cairney which earned him a yellow card and may well have been worthy of more serious punishment.

As Villa pushed forward, so they risked being caught at the back and Johansen had the chance to seal it for Fulham, only to blaze over inside the box.

Then, with 20 minutes remaining, Fulham were reduced to ten men as Odoi saw red.

The centre-back had been booked in the opening half for bringing down Grealish. And he received the second after being beaten to the ball by the Villa man and connecting with a kick.

Fulham were still dangerous even a man down and Chester was required to block at close range to send a Mitrovic strike flying over the bar.

Bruce introduced Jonathan Kodjia, Josh Onomah and Scott Hogan off the bench.

But the goal would not come. Hogan headed wide, while appeals for a penalty were waved away after Grealish tumbled in the box.

Key Moments

23 GOAL Fulham take the lead with a beautifully simple goal. Ryan Sessegnon is the creator, sliding in Tom Cairney to finish past Sam Johnstone in the Villa goal.

30 Fulham's Ryan Fredericks is lucky to escape a red card after appearing to stamp on Jack Grealish in front of the dug-outs.

57 Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli saves to deny Grealish scoring a superb solo effort.

61 Grealish is himself fortunate not to see red for a late and rash challenge on Cairney.

70 RED CARD Denis Odoi is sent-off after bringing down Grealish to receive his second booking.

Teams

Villa (4-1-4-1): Johnstone, Elmohamady (Kodjia 77), Chester, Terry (c), Hutton, Jedinak (Onomah 77), Snodgrass, Grealish, Hourihane (Hogan 82), Adomah, Grabban Subs not used: Bree, Bjarnason, Whelan, Bunn (gk).

Fulham (4-3-3): Bettinelli, Fredericks (Christie 83), Ream, Odoi, Targett, McDonald, Johansen, Cairney, Kamara (Kalas 77), Mitrovic, Sessegnon Subs not used: Fonte, Ayite, Norwood, Piazon, Button (gk).