Championship playoff: Abraham’s penalty puts Villa in the driving seat

Tammy Abraham’s second half penalty made sure that Aston Villa put one foot in the Championship play-off final after grinding out a 2-1 first leg victory at home over local rivals West Bromwich on Saturday.

For much of the match it appeared that Baggies fans would be leaving Villa Park the happier having kept their heads in front for three quarters of the game.

In-form loan striker Dwight Gayle capitalised on a rare defensive error by Glenn Whelan in the 16th minute to give West Brom the lead – charging in on goal and slamming the ball past Jed Steer following the Republic of Ireland midfielders poor touch.

It was a lead the visitors held for the next hour, but a decisive five-minute spell by Villa late on turned the game on its head.

Substitute Conor Hourihane netted brilliantly with a rasping drive from the edge of the box in the 75th minute then four minutes later Chelsea loanee Abraham kept his nerve to score his 26th goal of the season from penalty spot in front of the delighted Holte End.

Abraham had three attempts at goal in the match before converting his penalty.

Read Also: Tammy Abraham pops up on Newcastle’s transfer radar

It was his 20th Championship goal of the season at Villa Park, making him the first player to score 20+ home goals in a single season in the competition. The return leg will be played on Tuesday.