Comment: Ice cold Mile Jedinak the perfect man to handle the heat of Aston Villa's play-off push

210 minutes of football between two historic local rivals had come down to one of the most unbearable yet captivating conclusions in the sporting world - a penalty shoot-out.

The winner would head to Wembley with a shot at earning football's richest prize, the loser would be left staring at another season in the second tier, and all the problems likely to come with it.

Two victims had already been claimed by the intense pressure on offer in West Bromwich - both Mason Holgate and Ahmed Hegazi had failed from the spot.

Conor Hourihane had given Villa a hold of the shoot-out, but it was down to Mile Jedinak to give Dean Smith's side a vice-grip.

The midfielder-come-defender, seldom used this season - with a reputation scarred amongst some by his management earlier in the campaign, was brought into the pressure cooker for a sole purpose. To score from the spot.

16 times he'd been trusted to find the back of the net for club and country - and not once had he failed to do so.

He'd done it on the grandest of stages too, twice Jedinak had scored from the penalty spot in a play-off against Honduras to secure Australia's place in the 2018 World Cup, twice he'd done the same against other opposition during the tournament.

Walking calmly up to the Smethwick End, the home of the loudest Albion fans you'll hear on any match-day, the Aussie placed the ball down with marked stoicism.

Six or seven paces back, a swift run-up. Back of the net. Simple.

Like it was ever in doubt? Sam Johnstone may as well have not been there, such was the assuredness of the strike.

Cue a wave of belief for the 2,000 travelling souls in West Bromwich, who were now surrounded by countless fans witnessing their season collapse in the most painful of circumstances.

Such was the 34-year-old's confidence in scoring, there was no roar, no exuberant celebration - just a glare into the flailing limbs of the visiting fans, as if to tell those watching to keep their cool - the job wasn't done yet.

It wasn't done, but Jedinak had put Villa on their way. Less than five minutes later, Villa had booked their place at Wembley.

The man who made just nine appearances for the club since the end of September had instantly healed that scarred reputation - albeit without taking the glory of scoring the final spot-kick.

It was the same man who had last season performed similar heroics at exactly the same stage too - scoring the decisive goal over two semi-final legs against Middlesbrough.

The mood amongst the Villa players following this latest victory was understandably that of celebration.

A local rival was beaten, a second trip to the national stadium with a shot at promotion was secured, their historic end-of-season run meant something.

But whilst the chorus of 'Sweet Caroline' echoed throughout the away dressing room at The Hawthorns - all documented on social media, the man from Down Under was one player who didn't go over the top within those celebrations.

By no means did the Aussie take no joy in the success, pictures immediately following the winning penalty prove that. But as was the case when his penalty found the bottom corner, the job isn't done yet. Promotion is still 90 minutes away - as it was last time around.

Jedinak knows all about that, having started in last year's chastising defeat to Fulham in the Championship play-off final. A defeat which threatened to end the club's very existence just a matter of weeks later.

The irony this season of course is easy to spot, that penalty kick could well be Jedinak's last contribution on the pitch in claret and blue.

He, just like several other players in Villa's squad, has a future up for debate.

At 34, he doesn't fit into Smith's or the club's desire to lower the average age of the squad. Nor does he realistically fit in with the style of play the boss has implemented at B6. Add to that his hefty pay packet, not far off the Premier League average, and the writing seems to be on the wall, regardless of the division the club find themselves in come June.

His leadership and effect on the squad behind the scenes looks unlikely to outweigh a desire to change the core of the club and continue down the path which looks like building a bright future at Villa Park.

But that impact on the squad since signing up back in 2016 is one worth remembering. A leader on the pitch and in the dressing room, a captain of sorts without wearing the armband.

When Grealish found himself in a hospital bed with a split kidney following a pre-season challenge which ruled him out for the first part of last season, who was the first player through the door to visit? None other than Mile Jedinak.

The young midfielder's growth from boy to man has long been heralded as a reason behind Villa's performances in recent years. But that growth has been nurtured by the figures around the fresh-faced skipper.

Dean Smith, John Terry, Steve Bruce, James Chester - all have been a good influence on a player destined for big things. But it would be unjust not to include the man from New South Wales in that group.

Smith has already spoken about his impact on this season, no matter how fleeting.

Jedinak came into the side in the midst of Villa's record-breaking run against Rotherham, a day which will long live in the memory for fans who made the trip to Yorkshire.

Down to ten men after Tyrone Mings' uncharacteristic sending off, Villa were a goal down and staring at a defeat to one of the Championship's struggling sides, who eventually headed back into League One.

In reality, it likely wouldn't have derailed the club's play-off hopes, but it could have provided a stumble Dean Smith's side could do without.

Instead it proved a catalyst that epitomises the never-say-die attitude and resilience Villa have developed, and one undoubtedly echoed by the talismanic Australian.

Jonathan Kodjia levelled from the spot before Villa's goal of the season was scored just three minutes later by Jack Grealish, giving them the lead.

With just under 40 minutes remaining at the New York Stadium, Jedinak was influential in holding firm to ensure Villa earned all three points that day.

The same was the case in arguably Villa's biggest game ahead of the play-offs, as they toppled an in-form Bristol City at home just three days later, effectively sealing their place in the post-season. Jedinak played all 90 minutes before stepping aside once again for Mings to come back into the fray for Bolton following suspension.

Another 90 minutes of action and another clean sheet followed against Millwall, in place of the injured Axel Tuanzebe.

He hasn't featured much for Villa of late, but his impact this season shouldn't go unnoticed.

"He has been first class from the moment came in, even though he has not played as many minutes as he probably would have liked." Smith said in a glowing review of the Aussie following the game against the Millers.

"He is first-class in training, his attitude and character around the place and his understanding of the game. We have had some really good conversations about how we see the club moving on. He has really bought into that."

Smith knows just how important he has been for Villa, when the chips are down - Jedinak delivers. Even if he isn't of the mould the boss tends to favour.

In truth, Jedinak himself would probably admit that it's time to move on.

And should that come to fruition, how better to end your time at a club having helped guide them to promotion back to the promised land?

The job isn't done yet. But if it does get finished, the bearded Aussie will have played quite the role - and should be remembered fondly in the Second City.