Aston Villa v West Brom: Who wants to be a play-off hero?

A trip to Wembley and a shot at promotion awaits the victor, but in a tie sure to bring out tremendous atmosphere, who could win the day for their respective sides?

Here we take a look at some of the potential heroes and villains that could have a huge part to play and rate their chances of pulling off heroics over the 180 minutes...

Jack Grealish

The man who makes Aston Villa tick and triggered their stunning Championship revival coming back from injury to skipper the Villans against Derby at the beginning of their winning run.

Grealish is the key cog in Villa's squad, and has scored a collection of stunning goals for the club at key times.

The rocket against the Rams on his return was something else, whilst his superb goal against Rotherham won the club's goal of the season award, basically - he's good for a worldie.

Albion will need their wits about them to stop him over two legs.

Will he be the hero? One of the most dangerous players in the league, he will have a huge part to play.

Dwight Gayle

Talk about coming into form at the right time - Albion's loanee star is one of the Championship's most feared strikers right now, and comes fresh off winning the player of the month award for April.

Whilst he has endured spells without finding the net, you'd back him to nab a goal against Villa's back line at some point through the contest.

Albion fans will look back to his sensational goal against Stoke at The Hawthorns as a reminder of just what he's capable of.

The likes of Tyrone Mings and Axel Tuanzebe will need to keep a close eye on him in both legs.

Will he be the hero? A goal poacher supreme - he can turn a game in an instant.

Tammy Abraham

Another goalscorer who is set to lead the line, this time in claret and blue - Tammy Abraham has once again showed his prolific nature in the second tier after a barnstorming campaign under Dean Smith.

25 goals over the course of the regular season should be warning enough for James Shan's men, and a haul of four goals in just one game earlier this season against Nottingham Forest should also be a reminder of his talents.

Stopping his ability to link play will also be important for Albion, although he may suffer from a slight bit of rust having missed Villa's run-in with a shoulder problem.

Like Gayle, he can turn games in a moment, and will be dying to hit the back of the net to help fire his team up.

Will he be the hero? A big worry for Albion, his goal record is no joke.

Jay Rodriguez

Another attacking threat at The Hawthorns, J-Rod might not have grabbed the same headlines as his strike partner but he's been incredibly potent for the Baggies.

Admittedly, plenty of his goals have come from the penalty spot, but having just missed one of them all season, Villa would like to avoid giving him the chance to add to that tally.

It's not only from the spot in which he'll hope to have an impact however, and Villa will be aware of his threat from open play too having scored in the 2-0 win over Dean Smith's side at Villa Park in February.

He proved a villain for Smith's side at The Hawthorns this season, scoring a very controversial late equaliser, with the ball going in off his hand to nab a point.

Will he be the hero? A potent threat who will want a less controversial hand in a win over Dean Smith's side. Villa won't want to give him a chance from the spot either...

Anwar El-Ghazi

West Brom know all about El Ghazi courtesy of a dazzling display at The Hawthorns back in December.

The winger ran the show that day, scoring within fifteen minutes before he struck once again before the hour with an absolute piledriver to give Villa the lead once again.

He didn't feature in the game at Villa Park, but has since become one of the first names on the team sheet in claret and blue - and will be itching to replicate his previous showing against the Baggies.

Often coming off the left wing, Mason Holgate will have a task on his hands if the Dutchman is in the mood.

Will he be the hero? Could he haunt the Baggies again? Don't be surprised if he does...

Chris Brunt

Not the youngest player on this list, but if it's experience that can guide you through a tricky play-off tie like this then Brunt is your man.

Known for his wand of a left foot, the midfielder is capable of heroics, and Villa will be wary if they give up a free-kick or two in a dangerous area.

His set piece delivery and ability to pick a pass should be another point for the Villans to worry about too, with the experienced midfielder more than capable of opening up a defence given the chance.

Villa will hope to get runners beyond him though, with age and pace probably working against him.

Will he be the hero? As experienced as they come, with set piece quality to fear for Villa.

Tyrone Mings

A man linked with Albion before sealing his loan move to Villa Park in January, Mings offers another small bit of sub-plot to an already feisty fixture.

He's been exceptional since joining, quickly becoming a fan favourite and a player that Villa would be keen to sign up permanently given the chance if they go up this month.

Composed on the ball and strong in the air, he'll face a task on his hands alongside the rest of the Villa defence when trying to stop Gayle and Rodriguez scoring.

If he does manage to help keep Albion's prolific pair from finding the net, his stock will only increase further at B6.

Will he be the hero? Phenomenal since coming in. Can he keep it up in the play-offs?

Ahmed Hegazi

Another centre back who could have a big say in this West Midlands clash, Ahmed Hegazi has been one of Albion's most consistent performers in defence this season.

A towering presence in the air, he's a problem in both boxes - and will provide a stern test for Villa's attackers over 180 minutes.

Like Mings, Hegazi has become a cult-hero at The Hawthorns since joining permanently from an initial loan move, a big performance over two legs would cement that even further.

He'll likely have his eye firmly on stopping Villa's chief goal-getter Tammy Abraham throughout the contest.

Will he be the hero? A tough opponent for any attacker. The 'Nesta of the Pyramids' could put in a performance worthy of a place at Wembley.

John McGinn

One of the driving forces in Villa's midfield, the Scot has been a hit since joining from Hibs for a relative pittance over the summer.

Able to score and create goals, the tough tackling midfielder has been integral to Villa's push for the play-off spots, and rightly earned plenty of plaudits at the club's end of season awards.

Capable of moments of magic, the Scot could have a huge part to play over two legs, and could cause all manner of problems for Albion in the midfield battle.

He did rack up 14 yellow cards over the course of the season however, so discipline could be an issue in a heated tie.

Will he be the hero? The Scot has undeniable quality and will be key in Villa's midfield.

Sam Johnstone

Just another drop of sub-plot in an ocean of drama, Johnstone takes on his former side, with which he lost at Wembley last season.

A fabulous shot-stopper, Johnstone is more than capable of keeping Albion in a game or even seeing them through to Wembley should he be up for it.

However, he's yet to build quite the affinity he had with Villa supporters at The Hawthorns so far, with some Baggies fans not entirely sold on his performances.

He'll be hoping for another trip to London, only this time in different colours - and hopefully a different result.

Will he be the hero? He has the ability to decide the game between the sticks.