Aston Villa secure spot in upcoming EFL Championship play-offs

Lewis Grabban’s first half header was enough for Aston Villa to secure all three points against Leeds. Doing so, the claret and blues clinched a spot in the EFL Championship play-offs.

Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa steam-rolled Leeds United on Friday evening to secure their spot in the Championship play-offs. At worst, the claret and blues will finish 4th. There is still an outsider’s chance, albeit a small one, at automatic promotion, as well as a possible move into 3rd.

That being said, it is time to celebrate, even if for a brief moment. The Championship is a slog and Aston Villa proved to be one of the best six teams over the course of 43 matches. That is five (plus an added three to go) more games than every single Premier League club will play this year. The midweek traveling, the physicality, it all took its toll, but Aston Villa largely withstood all.

Next up, the claret and blues travel to Ipswich Town next weekend. Matchups with possible playoff opponents Derby County and Millwall close out the league season. As a reminder, let us go through the Championship play-offs format:

Play-offs Format:

Teams finished 3rd through 6th will host a home-and-away semifinals series, the 3rd-place side playing the 6th-place side, while 4th and 5th face off. The winners on aggregate across both legs go to Wembley for a winner-take-all spectacle.

The EFL Championship play-off final is often dubbed, “the richest game in football.” By some metrics, it is the most valuable one-off sporting event in the entire world.

Depending on the shakeout during the last three weeks of action, Aston Villa seem destined to play one of: Middlesbrough, Millwall, or Derby County in the semi-finals. Preston North End and Sheffield United remain possibilities too. Through 46 league matches and 4 cup fixtures we will be assured of bonus Villa football.

UTV.