Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City claimed the automatic promotion places from the second tier — Cardiff pipped Fulham to second place after the London club suffered a 3-1 defeat by Birmingham City on the final day of the regular season.
It left Slavisa Jokanovic’s side two points behind Cardiff and quite how costly that defeat, their first in the Championship since December, will be will only become apparent after the final whistle tomorrow. The winning team will guarantee themselves a minimum windfall of 160mn pounds ($215.4mn) — their share of the Premier League’s eye-watering broadcasting rights deal.
That does not even reflect the increase in merchandising, potential sponsorship deals and inevitable spike in social media followers, so the real prize is almost immeasurable. Yet despite all the talk of the world’s “richest game” it will boil down to a match between two proud old clubs trying to get themselves back to where they believe they belong.
While a free-flowing Fulham side featuring teenage prodigy Ryan Sessegnon and prolific Serbia striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, on loan from Newcastle United, are slight favourites, Villa are managed by Steve Bruce who holds the joint record for taking sides into the top-flight from the second tier.
He did it with Hull City in 2012-13 and 2015-16 and Birmingham City in 2001-02 and 2006-07 — two of those promotions via the drama of the playoffs. Cardiff’s Neil Warnock is the only manager to match him.
Fulham will also be wary of the presence of former Chelsea skipper John Terry in the Villa back four. Having won every honour in club football, Terry’s ability to handle the big occasion and the calming influence he will have on his team mates could be crucial.
Villa lost their ever-present Premier League status in 2016 after years of stagnation, but have been turned around by Bruce who, despite his vast experience, says tomorrow’s showpiece will be a nerve-jangling affair.
“I won’t sit here and say that I’m not going to feel some butterflies on the day but, like everything in life, if you’ve already experienced something then you know how to handle it better,” he said. “Hopefully we can put a smile back on the faces of Aston Villa fans for a change because for five or six year it’s been pretty desperate at times. Let’s hope it’s our turn again.”
Villa’s only doubt for the final is Egyptian winger Ahmed Elmohamady who suffered a hamstring injury in the semi-final against Middlesbrough. Fulham will be at full strength. Both clubs have sold out their 38,000 ticket allocation.
