Villa fail to take their chances against Derby
Posted Sunday, April 29, 2018 by PA
Aston Villa’s automatic-promotion hopes ended after play-off chasing Derby clung on for a fortunate point.
Lewis Grabban rescued a late 1-1 draw for the hosts after the Rams rode their luck following Cameron Jerome’s opener.
Villa now must rely on the Sky Bet Championship play-offs to return to the Premier League after a two-year absence – after Cardiff’s 2-0 win at Hull – where they could face Derby.
The Rams are sixth with their top-six challenge heading into a nerve-shredding final day.
Villa dominated a possible play-off dress rehearsal but Grabban and Jonathan Kodjia hit the crossbar for the hosts while Conor Hourihane wasted a glorious chance.
Yet Villa – who will finish fourth – were forced to come from behind after Jerome’s 14th-minute opener.
Former Villa striker Andreas Weimann robbed a dawdling Neil Taylor on the right and crossed for Jerome to sweep in his third goal of the week.
It was sloppy from Villa but they should have at least levelled before the break.
Grabban headed a golden chance over after 25 minutes when Albert Adomah left Richard Keogh trailing before Scott Carson saved Jack Grealish’s low effort.
The hosts remained on top with Derby reliant on Tom Lawrence conjuring an opening yet failed to find a breakthrough before half-time.
But Grabban nearly levelled in first-half injury time when his glancing header clipped the top of the bar.
Villa continued to press after the break but a leveller was proving elusive.
Grealish fired over and Carson claimed Hourihane’s free-kick before the Republic of Ireland international missed Villa’s best chance with 20 minutes left.
The midfielder was in the right place when the ball looped into his path six yards out but he somehow volleyed wide with the goal at his mercy.
Weimann then almost made his former side pay when he went through but saw James Chester block his shot.
Villa immediately went up the other end and Kodjia saw his 74th-minute header come back off the bar.
But Steve Bruce’s side finally levelled with eight minutes left when Grabban pounced after Carson denied Hourihane.
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