Aston Villa player grades: Villa upend Middlesbrough in semi-final play-off

7.0. Big Sam celebrated the birth of his first child with a momentous clean sheet. Johnstone did not have a lot to do save-wise (just 2), but he had to clean up a lot of scenarios in the box. Villa’s goal kick strategy was a little wonky, however.. GK. Aston Villa. SAM JOHNSTONE

5.0. Hard to be too critical, but Ahmed Elmohamady was probably the weak link on the evening. He struggled to contain Adama Traore in 1 v. 1 situations (who wouldn’t?) but the Egyptian international was far too lax in allowing deep, in-swinging crosses. Elmo injured his hamstring with two minutes to spare. If he can’t go, Bruce might be forced to call James Bree into action. Neil Taylor and Axel Tuanzebe are out injured, too.. RB. Aston Villa. AHMED ELMOHAMADY

6.0. James Chester played most of the first half with no name or number on his kit after the initial one ripped. Still, a good game, but he too struggled at times to collapse pockets of space between he and Elmohamady. Assombalonga nearly capitalized on the opportunity multiple times.. RCB. Aston Villa. JAMES CHESTER

7.0. A strong five clearances won, for the Villa captain. Terry battled a foot/ankle injury in the first half and a possible concussion in the second. Worth monitoring ahead of Tuesday’s return leg.. LCB. Aston Villa. JOHN TERRY

7.5. Hutton gets upgraded a half-point for simply quieting Adama Traore and Britt Assombalonga. His passing was way off at 60%, but the defensive work was there. Played the entire second half at right back after switching flanks with Elmohamady.. LB. Aston Villa. ALAN HUTTON

Jedinak was an all-star in the middle of the park. He <strong>scored </strong>the match’s lone goal and nearly had a second shortly thereafter. It should be interesting to see if he played himself into Tuesday’s lineup. I can only assume, that on 72 hours’ rest, that Bruce planned on deploying Whelan or Bjarnason at Villa Park.. CDM. Aston Villa. MILE JEDINAK. 8.5

5.5. Meh. We’ve seen better from Conor Hourihane, but he battled through some bogus referee decisions.. CM. Aston Villa. CONOR HOURIHANE

JACK GREALISH. 9.5. Seriously, Gareth Southgate, just take him to Russia.<p><strong>1 assist</strong>, 4 key passes, 3 shots, 92% passing, 8 successful dribbles, 4 fouls won, 7 tackles won, 1 blocked shot.</p>. CM. Aston Villa

6.5. A bit like Hourihane’s post. We’ve seen better from Snoddy, but he put in a lot of defensive work. Ten total tackles! + he hit the post.. RW. Aston Villa. ROBERT SNODGRASS

Aston Villa. ALBERT ADOMAH. 6.5. 88% passing accuracy, and A LOT of running for Albert Adomah. Taken off in the 71st for Jonathan Kodjia as Lewis Grabban moved to the wing. Provided several menacing crosses, too. Yet, I still want to see more out of him.. LW

CF. Aston Villa. LEWIS GRABBAN. 6.5. Lewis Grabban is a little difficult to grade as he was asked to do a lot of different tasks in one match. Good, threatening first half as the striker. Anonymous in the second, before he had a ten minute cameo out at left wing, where he did pretty well, but scuffled a key chance.