Middlesbrough send all their tall defenders up for a corner, but the referee spots some pushing in the middle and it's a Villa free-kick. More frustration for the home side.

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It just wasn't Britt Assombalonga's day today. The service to him has been patchy for the most part, and he appeared to snatch at the couple of opportunities presented to him in the first half.

Here comes the Boro change. Patrick Bamford replaces Britt Assombalonga up front.

Robert Snodgrass is booked for a late challenge on Boro's George Friend.

In case you've just joined us, Aston Villa lead thanks to Mile Jedinak's 15th-minute header.

The visitors nearly made it 2-0, but Robert Snodgrass' curling strike was touched on to the post.

Middlesbrough, who finished fifth in the table - seven points below Villa - have 15 minutes left of this first leg to try to avoid having to go to Villa Park on Tuesday trailing.

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Jack Grealish has been relatively quiet since half-time, having pulled a lot of the strings for Villa in the first half.

It's been Boro's half so far, but they're still yet to really force a top save out of Villa keeper Sam Johnstone.

Villa bring on Jonathan Kodjia, as former Boro winger Albert Adomah goes off.

The Riverside faithful give their old player a really good reception as he heads to the dugout.

Andy White: My daughter (a Boro fan) has just said Boro's performance so far is just not good enough. Six-year-old's tell it how it is!

The home side have a free kick in a dangerous position on the left, but Muhamed Besic completely wastes it, curling his cross too high over the bar.

Middlesbrough break open the Villa defence after a neat turn and pass from Muhamed Besic and Fabio is rushing in from the right to play a square ball across the box, but there's no one there to meet it in the middle! Frustration for the hosts.

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Daniel Ayala can't continue after all.

He goes off and on comes Fabio, formerly of Manchester United and Cardiff City of course.

Matt Newsum
BBC Sport at the Riverside Stadium

There's a rather gloomy fret hovering around the Riverside which is enough to block out the Eston Hills in the background above the tops of the stand.

It might be the reason for slightly dewier conditions at ground level and in particular why players like Mo Besic just a moment ago are losing their footing on the lush green.

Middlesbrough seem to be finding a bit more space and enjoying more ball, probably as they've had to come out and attack more, but you can't say Aston Villa look unduly threatened. Daniel Ayala's injury gives the two sets of fans a chance to exchange 'witty banter'.

Daniel Ayala limps off to the side of the pitch but it looks like he might carry on for a little while. He's going to try and run it off.

At the other end, Lewis Grabban's strike is blocked by two Boro men. They may be behind, but the home fans appreciate that their side have really got stuck in this evening.

Unfortunately for the hosts, after tackling Jack Grealish a couple of seconds earlier, defender Daniel Ayala appears hurt and he will require treatment on the field.

A promising-looking Middlesbrough move breaks down as Muhamed Besic slips and falls over.

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As it stands, we're heading for the same scoreline that we saw when Aston Villa won at the Riverside on 30 December, in Tony Pulis' first full game in charge of Boro.

Boro work things nicely from the second phase of a corner, and Muhamed Besic's low cross towards the near post looks dangerous, but it knocks off Ryan Shotton and behind for a Villa goal kick.

Britt Assombalonga has a go from long range for the hosts, who have seen a lot of possession in the past five minutes, but he drags his low shot a long way wide.

Adama Traore tries to skip his way past two defenders in the Villa penalty area, but a loose touch sees the ball run just out of play for a goal kick.

Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson is booked for a poor foul on Mile Jedinak. No complaints.