3/1 To Win
Derby County are prepped and ready for Wembley where they will take on Aston Villa in the Play-Off Final on Monday, kick-off: 3pm.
It will be the 57th and final game for Frank Lampard’s side this season as they look to secure promotion back to the Premier League. In their way is Dean Smith’s side who are back in the final for the second-straight year. Here, dcfc.co.uk has all the information you will need ahead of the big occasion.
TEAM NEWS…
Scott Malone is to miss the final after receiving a red card in the closing minutes of the second-leg of the semi-final following a second yellow card so Ashley Cole is set to start at left back.
Martyn Waghorn is having his fitness monitored after missing the semi-final clashes against Leeds United with an Achilles injury. The striker is now back in training, as is midfielder Duane Holmes, and both could make the matchday squad.
Craig Bryson (ankle) and David Nugent (knee) are ruled out due to injury, as are long term absentees Curtis Davies (Achilles) and Craig Forsyth (knee). On-loan Leicester midfielder Andy King is now back in training after recovering from an ankle injury, but won't make the matchday squad as he is lacking match sharpness.
WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY…
Speaking to RamsTV, Lampard said: “I will be proud. I’m walking out as a manager of a team and squad that have done fantastically well, regardless of the result on Monday.
“I’m hugely proud of what we have achieved this year but more importantly than that, I am proud to represent this club.
“The fans, the club, what it means, the owner, the people behind the scenes, that’s been a big deal for me this season. This is a culmination of all that. I will be a bit nervous, but I will certainly be proud.”
He added: “It is a fantastic arena. You can see it when you drive up to it, the minute you see the arch, it’s goosebumps and the real deal so you know as a player what it means.
“It’s important that we all suck it in and enjoy it because it doesn’t come around all the time and you want to leave a good imprint when you play there.
“We are a mixture of players who have already been there, they need to lead it and talk to the younger players, but for the players who haven’t, it is important they know what is coming.”
THE STORY SO FAR…
Derby County reached the Play-Off final for the first time since 2014 after overcoming a 1-0 first-leg deficit to beat Leeds United 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-final.
Aston Villa booked their place at Wembley by defeating local rivals West Bromwich Albion on penalties after their semi-final finished 2-2 on aggregate with Villa winning the first leg and losing the second.
The West Midlands outfit finished one place above the Rams in the regular league season in fifth after a 10-game winning run towards the end of the season propelled them into the Play-Off places where Derby had been in and around since the start of the season.
Villa have beaten the Rams in both league meetings this season, 3-0 at Pride Park and 4-0 at Villa Park, but as Derby showed against Leeds, previous meeting hold no weight in the Play-Offs and the fate of both teams rest in the final meeting of the 2018/19 season.
IMPORTANT FAN INFORMATION…
Derby County supporters will be based in the East side of the stadium with access via the turnstile shown on their ticket. Gates will open for entry from 1pm.
CLICK HERE for information including bag policies, Fan Parks, travel information, alcohol policies and other important information.
WHO’S THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Paul Tierney will be the man in the middle at Wembley on Monday afternoon. Tierney has officiated 33 matches this season, with the majority coming in the Premier League, producing 102 yellow cards and just one red card.
He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Adrian Holmes on the lines, whilst Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as the fourth official.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION…
As the Play-Off Final fas been selected for live international TV coverage, and due to international broadcasting rights, RamsTV will only be able to provide an audio stream for the game.
RamsTV subscribers will be able to watch a full recording of the match with exclusive RamsTV commentary the following day.
