Soccer: Jedinak header gives Aston Villa advantage in playoff

LONDON (Reuters) - Mile Jedinak’s first-half goal was enough to give Aston Villa the advantage in their Championship playoff semi-final with Middlesbrough as they clinched a 1-0 first-leg success at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

The Australian’s well-placed header from a corner gave Villa a deserved lead in the 15th minute, and the visitors came close to adding a second towards the end of the first half when Robert Snodgrass struck the post.

Middlesbrough applied plenty of pressure late in the game but could not create that clear-cut chance to get themselves back in the contest.

The pair meet again at Villa Park on Tuesday for the right to play Derby County or Fulham — who are 1-0 down after the first leg — in the playoff final at Wembley on May 26.