Ghana winger Albert Adomah was in superb form for Aston Villa as they pipped Middlesbrough 1-0 in the Championship Play-off semifinal at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.
Villa were put under lots of pressure by the hosts in the early minutes of the game.
Steve Bruce's side came into the game after surviving the early scare and went up courtesy Mile Jedinak's 15th minute glancing header.
Boro now had the onus to score, and created several chances for Assombalonga, but the closest he came to scoring was hitting the side netting.
Just before half time, Villa almost scored against the run of play once again however Snodgrass was denied by an excellent Randolph save.
Adomah was replaced with Ivorian international Jonathan Kodjia in the 71st minute, however Villa’s defence maintained their focus and kept the clean sheet with the match finishing 1-0.
The result means that Aston Villa take a goal advantage to the Villa Park for the second leg.
Record shows that no team has been eliminated from the Championship playoffs after winning the first leg away from home, but they will need more than just past stats to make it to Wembley where they will meet either Derby County or Fulham.
The second leg takes place on Tuesday night at 6:45 GMT.