REPORT: Rotherham 1-2 Villa
Ten-man Aston Villa claimed their seventh consecutive win at The New York stadium. Dean Smith’s men came back from a goal down, to win 2-1 in Rotherham.
In a frantic 90 minutes, even a Tammy Abraham’s missed penalty and a red card for Tyrone Mings failed to quash the confidence of a side now five points within the top six.
Captain Jack Grealish grabbed the winner five minutes after half time. And only three after substitute Jonathan Kodjia started a comeback from the penalty spot, as Abraham was relieved of his penalty duties.
Rotherham on top
Rotherham took a first-half lead, unsurprisingly from 12 yards. Tyrone Mings was given his marching orders, picking up a second yellow card for a handball inside the area. His initial yellow card, however, was less obvious, and to Dean Smith’s discretion, he also talked his way into the book for his protests.
It was Will Vaulks who did what Abraham couldn’t, dispatching his penalty past Jed Steer with aplomb. Mile Jedinak replaced Mings, making his first appearance since early April.
It took a stroke of genius from manager Dean Smith to take three points at The New York Stadium. Jonathan Kodjia replaced Anwar El Ghazi and then partnered Abraham. Villa started the second period in a 4-3-2 system.
Villa comeback
Kodjia made an instant impact by firing a perfect spot-kick into the roof of the net on the 47th minute. Semi Ajayi adjudged to have handballed inside the box from an Ahmed Elmohamady cross.
Three minutes later, Villa caught Rotherham cold once more. Grealish’s trickery was too much for a defence that has shipped a league-high 70 goals this term.
His interchange with Neil Taylor gave Grealish enough space to escape pressure and drive towards the Millers backline. Using Elmohamady as the outlet once more, Villa’s captain received the ball back inside the box and finessed his effort into the far right corner to send Villa 5th.
Villa will entertain Bristol City in a top-six clash which will go some way to decide where these two will end up come May.
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