Championship play-off final: Aston Villa vs Fulham - Five key battles

With both sides vying for the spot in the Premier League next season, we take a look at some of the key battles on the pitch between the sides.

Ahmed Elmohamady/James Bree vs Ryan Sessegnon

He's been the player of the season for many fans of the Championship, Ryan Sessegnon has been nothing short of a sensation at Craven Cottage this season and stopping him will have a profound effect on Fulham's chances of beating Villa.

It's likely going to be down to either the returning Ahmed Elmohamady, if fit, or James Bree to stop the 18-year-old - given that Alan Hutton sticks at his new left-back position.

Whoever takes him on will have a task on their hands though, with the winger bagging 16 goals so far this campaign and in imperious form.

Villa did a sterling job on the similarly threatening Adama Traore in the semi-finals however, and if they do the same at Wembley they'll have silenced Fulham's biggest attacking threat.

John Terry vs Aleksandar Mitrovic

Talking about attacking threats, Aleksandar Mitrovic has become one of the most feared Championship strikers following his loan move to Craven Cottage.

It will be down to the former England and Champions League winning captain in John Terry to keep him off the score sheet - and you would be hard pushed to find someone more willing and able.

He's scored 14 goals since joining the Cottagers, considering he's only been playing for them since January that's been a phenomenal return from the Serbian.

Villa have managed 22 clean sheets this season, second only to Wolves, and with Terry leading the line at the back you would back them to make life hard for the loanee striker.

Mile Jedinak/Glenn Whelan vs Tom Cairney

Fulham's creative influence on the pitch comes from captain and attacking midfielder Tom Cairney.

Mile Jedinak was huge for Villa over both legs of the play-off semi-final - scoring the only goal of the tie and breaking up play.

But with Fulham's focus on keeping the ball on the floor, Glenn Whelan may step in and find a place in Villa's midfield, and it will be down to one or the other to keep him quiet.

If they can limit his creative output then Steve Bruce's side should be much more comfortable at the back.

Sam Johnstone vs Marcus Bettinelli

Bruce will be thrilled to have his favoured stopper available for the biggest game of the season after seeing him only cautioned for handball in the play-off semi-final second leg.

That's because the battle of the goalkeepers could be influential of winning the war at Wembley.

Johnstone has been superb for the majority of the season, with the loss at Craven Cottage one of the few blots on his copybook this season.

Bettinelli meanwhile has also performed admirably.

They could both have a huge part to play if the game goes to penalties - although neither side will want that circumstance.

Kevin McDonald vs Jack Grealish

Often the best player on the park for Aston Villa, Jack Grealish has come of age following his injury hell earlier in the season, so much so that you may question whether Villa may have gone up automatically if he'd been fit the entire campaign.

It will be down to defensive midfielder and former Wolves favourite Kevin McDonald to try and keep Grealish out of the game.

If the Villa star makes his way onto the ball, he could well have the same kind of impact he had against Liverpool back in Villa's last win at the new Wembley, where he ran the game and helped his side to the final under Tim Sherwood.

It's likely to be a long day for the Scot if that's the case. He'll be hoping Grealish has an off-day.