Middlesbrough 0 Aston Villa 1 - player ratings

Mile Jedinak netted the only goal of the game at the Riverside Stadium.

We rate the players from an excellent team performance on Teesside.

Sam Johnstone

Celebrated the birth of his first child with a clean sheet. Saved well from Fabio in the final ten minutes and showed sound handling. 7/10.

Ahmed Elmohamady

A solid performance from the reliable full-back, who switched to the left wing for the second half. His late withdrawal is a concern for Bruce. 7/10.

James Chester

A rock at the back for Villa, as he has been all season. Barely put a foot out of place from the first minute to the last. 8/10.

John Terry

Matched his defensive partner for drive and determination. Won countless headers and was prepared to get hurt for the cause. 8/10.

Mile Jedinak

Repaid the manager’s decision to start him over Whelan with the only goal of the game. Made vital interceptions and tackles to ensure the lead remained intact. 8/10

Robert Snodgrass

Came close to giving Villa a two-goal advantage with a vicious shot which Randolph did brilliantly to turn onto the post. Never stopped running. 7/10.

Jack Grealish

Turned up for the big game, setting up Villa’s goal and running the show in the middle of the park. Made numerous pressure-easing runs. 8/10.

Conor Hourihane

Set the tone for the team when he clattered into Gibson inside the opening 20 seconds. Showed plenty of fight. 7/10.

Albert Adomah

Helped Hutton out when it came to defending Adama Traore. Was less effective than he would have liked in the final third, barring one cross which Snodgrass headed over. 6/10.

Lewis Grabban

Didn’t register a shot on target but did endless running for the team. Held the ball up well, particularly after moving to the wing in the second half. 7/10.

Star Man

Alan Hutton

A superb performance from the Scottish full-back, who man-marked the dangerous Adama Traore out of the game. Hutton even switched wings during the second half to combat the Spanish winger, who quickly became a non-factor for the hosts. Has become one of Villa's most important players. 8/10.

Substitutes

Jonathan Kodjia (for Adomah 70 mins)

Struggled to hold the ball up in the central striker role. 5/10.

Birkir Bjarnason (for Grabban, 81)

Key block to deny Fabio.

Glenn Whelan (for Elmohamady, 89)

A busy cameo.