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Will Tony Pulis be looking a bit happier after the next 45 minutes?

The hosts Middlesbrough get this first leg going again. Neither side have made any changes at the break.

Matt Newsum
BBC Sport at the Riverside Stadium

No need to guess the mood around the Riverside at half-time. There's a hum from the Middlesbrough crowd who have flocked for refreshment on this Saturday tea-time, and it was the Villa contingent who roared their approval as referee Robert Madley shrilled on his whistle.

The home side forged on after conceding that Mile Jedinak header, and have looked threatening when their midfield - notably Jonny Howson - have been allowed to dictate. Adama Traore is an extraordinary talent but Villa have had his measure. Other options - Britt Assombalonga for one - look more fruitful.

Villa were note-perfect for much of the first half but were made to look a little jittery toward the end. However, Robert Snodgrass' curling beauty that brought the best out of Darren Randolph seemed to settle them. Job well done as the away side so far here.

The final match in today's quartet of EFL play-off fixtures is at the Ricoh Arena, where Coventry are hosting Notts County in the first leg of their League Two semi-final tie.

Live text coverage gets under way on the BBC Sport website and app from 19:15 BST.

There have already been two EFL play-off ties today - both matches were drawn.

In League One, Scunthorpe twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rotherham, while Lincoln's first leg against Exeter in League Two ended goalless.

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Tranmere Rovers beat Boreham Wood in today's National League promotion final at Wembley - but they did it the hard way.

Rovers had defender Liam Ridehalgh sent off in the first minute for a lunging challenge, but Micky Mellon's side prevailed despite playing almost all of the match with 10 men.

James Norwood scored Rovers' winner to confirm their return to League Two after three seasons outside the EFL.

While the players enjoy a half-time slice of orange at the Riverside, let's run through some of today's other results.

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Villa go in to the half-time break with the upper hand, thanks to Mile Jedinak's early header from a corner.

That's the end of a first half that's gone very much the way of Steve Bruce's side, who lead away from home in this semi-final first leg.

George Friend collides with Villa's Mile Jedinak and it's late, as they jumped for a header. It's a booking.

Image source, Reuters

Middlesbrough have had the better of the past 15 minutes, but Villa have gone closest to scoring the game's second goal.

Just as we enter a single minute of added time, Adama Traore fires well wide from the edge of the D for the hosts.

It's so nearly 2-0 to Villa, but Robert Snodgrass' bending shot from outside the box is touched on to the post by Boro keeper Darren Randolph. That's a really decent save.

Wow. On the break, Villa playmaker Jack Grealish evades three rough challenges as he breaks from deep inside his own half and looks like he might go all the way.

He finds room to shoot inside the Boro penalty area, but his ambitious bid for a contender for Villa's goal of the season is blocked low by Ben Gibson.

Matt Newsum
BBC Sport at the Riverside Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

A bit more equal now this game, and Boro are starting to edge back into the contest. Just as I type... should Britt Assombalonga have scored?! Great reaction save though.

Down on the touchline, no studious contemplation from our two protagonists. With two proper 'old-school' managers prowling the technical areas there's plenty of bawling, leaping about and wild gesticulation.

The crowd is equally bang up for it, and while some of the language is as industrial as the Teesside skyline, it's been a good atmosphere nonetheless.

Britt Assombalonga forces a good save out of Villa keeper Sam Johnstone at his near post, as he heads Adama Traore's decent left-wing cross downwards. That's better from the hosts.

In case you're new to all this play-off fun... the away goals rule does not apply over these two legs.

Tuesday's second leg at Villa Park could go to extra time and penalties if needed.

Boro forward Britt Assombalonga has another shot at goal, this time from a tighter angle on the left, but he fires in to the side netting at the near post.

How far wide was it, Steve?

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Britt Assombalonga loses his marker and latches on to a high long ball, in to the area. He brings the ball down nicely, but he mistimes his shot and it veers wide.

Moments later, at the other end, Robert Snodgrass heads just over the bar for Villa.

Aston Villa eventually clear the danger.

With 15 minutes to go until half-time, it's Steve Bruce's side who have the early advantage.

Middlesbrough are competing in their fourth play-off campaign and first since 2014-15 when they lost in the Championship play-off final to Norwich City.

This time, things haven't started well for them, but they've just won a corner... Which is headed behind by Villa's Alan Hutton for another.