Express & Star

Play-off predictions: The Express & Star team predict Aston Villa and West Brom's promotion push

The play-offs have thrown up a set of mouth-watering match-ups following the conclusion of the Championship season - but who will join Norwich and Sheffield United in going up?

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Here, the Express & Star team and our selection of Albion and Villa bloggers have their say on the race for the final spot in the Premier League.

See how they predict the huge semi-final clash between the two local clubs, and the eventual play-off champion here...

Matt Wilson - West Brom correspondent

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

Based on the season overall, you could argue it’s Albion, but based on the last couple of months, you’d have to say Villa.

It’s difficult to ignore a club-record winning streak of 10 games and the turnaround in form since Jack Grealish’s return from injury. However, you can’t rule out a team who have a pair of strikers with 45 goals between them.

Either way, I’m predicting a tight and nerve-shredding couple of games.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

You could argue having the second leg at The Hawthorns plays into Albion’s hands, particularly if they can take a draw or a small victory back home.

But then again, the Baggies won at Villa Park in March and Villa deserved to beat Albion at The Hawthorns.

But there’s no denying that each team will have to deal with a febrile atmosphere in the away leg and how they stand up to the crowd could prove the difference.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

Quality should shine through over two games, but both squads have game-changing players.

You could argue Albion’s starting XI is stronger on paper, but Villa have looked like a more cohesive team in recent weeks.

Too close to call.

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

Albion need to get the ball forward to their dangermen Dwight Gayle and Jay Rodriguez as quickly as possible, and ideally shuttling it down the wings where Mason Holgate and Kieran Gibbs should prosper.

Villa will be strong in central midfield, where they have the mercurial talent of Jack Grealish and the Duracell bunny that is John McGinn.

Mason Holgate could be key, alongside Keiran Gibbs (AMA)

We could see one team controlling the middle, while the other tries to skirt around the edges or bypass the engine room.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

The obvious answers are Grealish and Gayle, the two standout performers for each club.

But with so many goals in both teams, the crucial players will be at the back.

Tyrone Mings and Ahmed Hegazi will be key.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

As the Albion reporter I’m going to have to plump for the Baggies.

If they can take a draw back to The Hawthorns they’ve got every chance of using the crowd to turn their old rivals over.

Jimmy Shan has five home wins in a row, so the players should be confident they can win there.

I’ll predict 2-2 at Villa Park, and 2-1 to Albion at The Hawthorns.

I reckon Derby will beat Leeds in the other semi-final, which would set up a rematch of the 2007 final. Albion beat one of their local rivals en route to Wembley that year, but they lost to the Rams.

Hopefully history won’t repeat itself this year, but Derby have had the better of them in the two games of the regular season.

Matt Maher - Aston Villa correspondent

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

Villa are the team with momentum having rescued their season over the past two months.

But it is worth remembering Albion finished above them in the table and remain a dangerous team.

The Baggies remind me a little of Villa last season. If they hit form, they will be tough to beat.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

Not particularly.

You would say Villa have the opportunity to set the tone, playing at home first. But if they don’t win at Villa Park, then the advantage swings to Albion.

With no away goals rule, I’m not sure it really matters too much which way round the games are played.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

Villa. Purely for the fact it is difficult to back against them at the moment.

Whatever challenge has been put in front of Dean Smith’s team over the past couple of months, they have found a way to overcome it.

Mentally, they seem ready for the challenge of the play-offs. This is their biggest test yet, though, and I expect it to be very, very close.

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

Plenty has, understandably, been made of the attacking talent in both teams. But where Villa might have a slight edge is in defence.

For the first-half of the season they defended like a team with a death wish. The January arrivals of Tyrone Mings and Kortney Hause changed all that. Both have been key to Villa’s resurgence.

Tyrone Mings has been brilliant since joining (Photo: Will Kilpatrick)

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Jack Grealish has been the biggest factor in Villa’s transformation from mid-table trundlers to the team no-one wants to play. It's almost impossible to see him not having a say at some point over the two legs.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

Villa to edge it, though I would not back against the tie going to extra-time.

Leeds will await in the final. After what happened at Elland Road last month, all bets are off.

Russell Youll - Group Sports Editor

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

Momentum could prove key here, Villa have it, Albion don't - they're not my words but those of the respective bosses Dean Smith and James Shan after their final league games of the season last weekend.

Villa will surely go into the head-to-head with the greater confidence. That said, it is a big derby clash and both sets of players, staff and fans will be massively up for the double-header.

The derby atmosphere will be a leveller in many respects - that old cliche about form going out of the window could well be the case.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

Traditionally, second leg at home is what clubs want but I think it could work the other way in this one.

A crowd of nearly 42,000 at Villa Park on Saturday will be bouncing and the home fans will be well up for this one.

Villa players and supporters believe they owe Albion one after the Hand of Rod goal at The Hawthorns and the 2-0 defeat inflicted by the Baggies on home territory in February.

Villa will surely come out on the front foot at home and look to give themselves a big advantage to take on the short journey up the A41 on Tuesday evening. Albion must be resolute in the first-leg against Villa's attacking threat.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

My gut instinct is Villa will take an advantage to The Hawthorns and hold on in the second leg.

I think the confidence running through Dean Smith's side will be vital in the first leg - their first choice XI are just not used to losing at the moment and the balance of the Villa side looks the better of the two.

I don't think it's cut-and-dried by any means though - I expect Rodriguez and especially Dwight Gayle to cause problems for Villa's backline.

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

In midfield. Villa's likely midfield trio of Jack Grealish, John McGinn and Glenn Whelan complemented one another superbly in their recent record-breaking run.

I feel the running and work-rate of McGinn and guile of Grealish could pull Albion out of position.

The midfield battle will be intriguing. (AMA)

Chris Brunt always seems to do well for the Baggies at Villa Park but it will be a new experience for the likes of Stefan Johansen and a big game for young Rekeem Harper.

However, I feel Villa will have a little too much energy and quality in the middle of the park.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Jack Grealish. He was targeted by Albion's players in the draw at The Hawthorns - as well as pretty much every other side in the Championship this season.

Without him in the league clash at Villa Park, the claret and blues struggled to find any creativity and lacked an out-ball while under pressure. Since his return, Captain Jack has brought both.

He is simply quality, how well Albion are able to contain him will be crucial.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

Villa to win over two legs, 3-1 or 4-2 on aggregate.

Wembley's a tough one... I fancy Villa to just edge out a resurgent Derby, who I feel could upset Leeds in the semis.

However, if Villa and Derby get there, it could prove a much tighter game than the two maulings the Lions have handed out to the Rams this season.

Luke Hatfield - Digital Sports Journalist

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

Personally, I think Villa and Derby are both in brilliant positions respectively given their recent form.

Villa's recent run has been something to behold, and they look like a completely different team to the one which lost to Albion just a few months back.

Derby have been rejuvenated of late, and will come in on a high having fought their way into the last spot.

Albion seem to have this aura of disappointment about them (especially within the fan base) which has me thinking Villa could get the better of them, whilst Leeds' recent form has been questionable to say the least.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

Without trying to sit on the fence, I actually think the way the games are set-up work well for both sides.

Villa will want to come out of the blocks quickly, and being at home for the opening leg helps with that, whilst if I were Jimmy Shan I'd look to do what Villa did last season against Boro and try and nick a goal away from home in the first leg.

The worry for Albion, of course, comes if Villa run riot at B6. If they open up a lead of two goals or more, it will be tricky to get that back against an in-form back line - even at The Hawthorns.

Having the second leg there will be beneficial for the Baggies though if the game hangs in the balance.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

Both are very good sides, and having seen both teams recently I'm leaning towards Villa.

Their performances against Derby, Boro, Bristol City, Forest, Leeds and even Norwich (despite losing), have been incredibly impressive.

Albion meanwhile have been winning games, but in less convincing fashion.

They say form goes out the window in derbies, but I don't buy that here - Villa have been electrifying recently and I think they may get by a Baggies team which doesn't seem quite as convincing.

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

Midfield. Albion have a bit of a conundrum there with the changes in the dug-out and with the system over the course of the year.

Villa though are comfortable with Jack Grealish, John McGinn and one of Conor Hourihane or Glenn Whelan in their three.

The Baggies need to find a way to halt whichever trio Villa put out. If they manage that then suddenly the pendulum could shift in their favour.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Jack Grealish. He's been magnificent following his return from injury.

As was the case last year, you have to wonder where Villa would have ended up if he'd been fit all season long.

Jack Grealish could have a big part to play (Photo: Will Kilpatrick)

Now captaining the side, he's suddenly added goals to his game and looks every bit a Premier League player (and one I can see playing for England sooner rather than later).

I fully expect him to have a massive part to play over both legs. Albion will need to watch him very closely.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

I think Villa edge Albion over two legs - but I doubt it'll be a comfortable lead at any point.

After that, I'm tipping Derby to get the better of Leeds as they continue to ride their recent wave.

Villa have had Derby's number this season, and I'd back them to make it three wins from three in the Terry v Lampard derby.

Josh Bland - West Brom blogger

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

Despite our respective positions in the table, you’ve got to say Villa.

They’ve got a settled manager, a strong identity and they’ve been on the rampage in the league, despite tough tests against Leeds and Norwich in the past couple of weeks.

Whilst Albion and Villa may be well matched on paper, our lack of manager, momentum and any sort of tactical consistency swings the pendulum in Villa’s favour, especially after old concerns about our soft defence reared their head after the Derby game.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

Certainly, as an Albion fan, I’m glad we’ve got the second leg at the Hawthorns.

We’ll go into the second leg knowing exactly what we’ve got to do, and having that sort of vociferous home advantage does leave a little room for error in that tough first leg.

James Shan (AMA)

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

I think the two sides are incredibly evenly matched, but Villa’s legs and pace will stretch Albion, no matter the situation going into the second leg.

I would temper that by suggesting that Albion having home advantage in the second leg could be absolutely crucial, and if you take the two games this season together, Albion have come out 4-2 winners…

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

The midfield.

Villa boast perhaps the best midfield trident in the Championship, and I fear what they can do to us in the play-offs.

Albion’s leaky defence has somewhat diverted attention from our midfield problem this season, but we find ourselves 46 games deep no closer to knowing our best midfield three.

Without the instrumental Gareth Barry we lack drive and tempo, and we have consistently struggled strike a balance between adequately covering our centre-backs and servicing our prolific forwards.

Perhaps the biggest worry is our lack of ability to deal with fast, attacking opposition, and I fear Villa’s rapid, expansive play could cut our cumbersome middle trio to ribbons on Saturday.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Whilst the likes of Jack Grealish and Dwight Gayle traditionally step up on big occasions, the superlative John McGinn remains the huge worry for me.

He epitomises everything Albion have struggled to deal with this season - pace, power and pressing.

How our midfield limits McGinn, and by extension Grealish will determine our chances in the tie.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

Whilst I may look like the ultimate pessimist to the layman reader with my answers so far, I think I am merely reflecting the anxiety felt by most Albion fans ahead of this fixture!

I hate making predictions before big games like this, but my gut says Villa so I’ll stick with that.

I was at Pride Park on Sunday, and was mightily impressed by Derby’s verve.

I’d back them not only to measure some revenge on Bielsa’s Leeds, but also upset Villa in the final and get promoted.

Justin Hawthorne - Aston Villa blogger

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

After the takeover last summer I'd say Villa are in a very good place off the pitch to kick on if promotion is achieved.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

I think if you had the choice you would always want the second leg at home, but if you win well at home in the first leg then the pressure switches onto Albion.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

As a Villa fan I have to say us, especially after the end to the season we have had.

On top of that, I'd argue we have more of players who are currently in superb form.

Dean Smith (Photo: Will Kilpatrick)

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

The midfield will be key and I believe Villa are stronger in that area.

We have the likes of John Mcginn, Glenn Whelan, Jack Grealish and more. I just get the feeling they'll win the game for Villa.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Jack Grealish. Captain, leader, legend.

It's time for him to write his name into history as the player who leads Villa back into the top flight.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

Over two legs I’m going to say 4-2 in Villa's favour.

I think they'll face Derby in the final and win that one 3-0.

Alex Newton - West Brom blogger

Who is best placed to gain promotion via the play-offs in your opinion, Villa or Albion?

As much as it pains me to say it, at the moment it's Aston Villa.

They've ended the season strongly, know their best XI and have the fans back on board. None of that is happening at The Hawthorns at the moment.

There are several questions over the best XI and formation, the end to the season was a mixed bag and some fans are still against the club after the sacking of Moore and lack of replacement.

Do you think either side gains any kind of advantage from the way the two legs are set up?

The ball is obviously in West Brom's court. If they come away with a result from Villa Park they'll be the clear favourites to go through.

You only have to look at Liverpool vs Barcelona to see what an electric home atmosphere can do.

That being said, if Villa put a few past Albion in the first leg they'd like to think they could defend it in the second leg.

Who do you favour over two legs between Villa and Albion, and why?

I think it's as close to a 50/50 two-legged tie you can get.

Maybe it's heart over head but I'd just by the slightest of margins lean towards Albion. The fact they're unbeaten in the two games against Villa this season may give them that little bit of hope.

If the Baggies get a result at Villa Park you'd have to back them to finish the job at The Hawthorns.

Many expect Dwight Gayle to score over 180 minutes (AMA)

Where will the tie be won and lost in your opinion?

The first 45 minutes at Villa Park.

Albion ship a lot of goals especially on the road and they tend to come in bunches too. The Bristol City game recently saw them 3-0 down before they'd even had a decent chance.

If Villa can come out and blitz them as other teams have then the tie could be over before we're even a quarter of the way through.

If Albion can get through that opening half they should start to grow in confidence.

Which one player do you think will have the biggest impact on the tie?

Dwight Gayle. If he's on his best form he takes Albion to Wembley.

"Mr Championship" will relish a game like this and has a chance to gain cult-hero status.

You just can't see Gayle not scoring across the 180 minutes.

Your prediction - who wins between Villa and Albion, and who gets promoted at Wembley, beating who?

Villa 2-2 Albion, Albion 3-2 Villa. Albion just sneak through in an all-time classic at The Hawthorns.

I actually think Derby beat Leeds in the other game and I fear for a repeat of 2007 with Derby winning the whole thing...