Analysis: Not pretty - but Aston Villa again find their way to victory and seize the edge in play-off showdown

They did it again on Saturday, in the biggest game of the season so far, to take another small step toward a return to the Premier League.

It wasn’t pretty. It was, if truth be told, rather fortunate, against a visiting Albion team who asked more questions of Villa’s resolve than any other opponent since the return of Jack Grealish in early March re-energised a season which at that point looked lost.

Yet here Dean Smith’s men now stand, perhaps just 90 minutes from a return to Wembley and another shot at getting back to the big time.

Of course, this tie is a long, long way from won. It is Villa, however, who must be considered favourites heading into tomorrow night’s return leg at The Hawthorns.

They have a one-goal advantage and more crucially renewed belief, courtesy of the late turnaround which saw goals from Conor Hourihane and Tammy Abraham finally break down the Baggies resolute defence.

Perhaps most importantly of all, they will be facing an Albion team which does not contain Dwight Gayle.

For much of Saturday afternoon, the 28-year-old looked destined to be the hero, having fired the visitors into an early lead and delivered a performance of relentless running up front.

Instead he ended it a villain, sent off after picking up two bookings – the firstof which was for time-wasting – ensuring he will play no further part in the tie.

Though they aren’t likely to admit it in public, that will come as a huge relief to Villa. Not least Tyrone Mings, who Gayle ensured was given comfortably his toughest afternoon to date in claret and blue.

Gayle’s dismissal came as an unexpected bonus after the turnaround sparked by Hourihane’s equaliser, 15 minutes from time.

The Cork man’s left foot has been a precious commodity for Villa over the past two seasons and this was the 20th goal it has delivered. Surely none has been more important.

Prior to Hourihane’s strike, Villa could find no way over or round an Albion defence which simply refused to budge. The mentality of Smith’s team, solidified to granite levels by the 10-match winning run which sent them soaring from mid-table into the play-offs, was being tested like never before. Tiny cracks were beginning to emerge.

Hourihane’s goal brought the confidence flooding back. For the player, it will have been a satisfying moment in more ways than one.

Back in February, Hourihane was jeered off by his own supporters when being substituted in Villa’s dire 2-0 home defeat to the Baggies.

It was the lowest of low points, for both player and club. Both have come an awful long way since.

Abraham, who put Villa ahead from the penalty spot less than four minutes later, may also have felt some sense of redemption.

The striker, who has enjoyed a fine season on loan from Chelsea, had nevertheless been guilty of missing gilt-edged, arguably match-defining chances in both previous meetings with the Baggies this season.

Yet when Grealish was brought down by Kieran Gibbs, Abraham held his nerve to beat Sam Johnstone from the spot – a goalkeeper with a knack for saving penalties – and put Villa firmly in the driving seat heading into the second leg.

Quite how Smith approaches tomorrow night in terms of team selection is now the big question.

A goal up, the more defensive-minded Glenn Whelan would typically be the choice to start alongside Grealish and John McGinn at The Hawthorns.

But the veteran, among Villa’s most consistent performer, did not enjoy his best game on Saturday and was responsible for the mistake which allowed Gayle to fire Albion ahead.

Hourihane, who offers a goal threat, might instead be preferred if Smith decides going for the jugular and trying to finish the Baggies off early is the best option.

Andre Green might also start following a bright cameo, after replacing the ineffective Albert Adomah. The youngster was involved in the move leading up to Grealish being fouled for the penalty and provided some added energy up front.

Villa will certainly expect to create more chances, against an Albion team who must now chase the game and cannot afford to sit so deep as they did on Saturday.

For a long time the tactic worked perfectly and it looked as though the Baggies, the only team to leave Villa Park with a clean sheet this season, might do so once again as Grealish and McGinn both toiled in vain. The latter endured comfortably his poorest performance for some time.

Villa were ultimately rewarded for their patience, persistence and desire to find a way through, when lesser teams might have lost heart. Those are qualities which have brought them this far and will almost certainly be needed again tomorrow, as they look to finish this part of the job.