Summary

  • Fulham promoted to the Premier League

  • Whites captain Cairney slots first-half winner

  • Cottagers defender Odoi sent off for second booking

  • Fulham to pocket at least £160m in revenue

  • Aston Villa set for third year in second tier

  1. Fulham to edge it?published at 16:33 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Fulham fansImage source, Rex Features

    A gabble of 10 BBC Sport online football journalists have predicted the outcome of this game.

    Six think Fulham are going to win promotion, with four backing Aston Villa.

    Of the six, three are predicting a 2-0 win for Fulham inside 90 minutes.

    Four of those who had their say feel this final will go to extra time, but nobody reckons we're set for penalties...

  2. Youth v experiencepublished at 16:31 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Rufus Brevett
    Ex-Fulham defender on BBC Radio London

    Villa know how to defend - they have John Terry at the back and they restricted Boro to two shots over the two semi-final legs. They also have boundless experience, with people like Glenn Whelan who can come on to see out a game.

    This Fulham team is a young side that hasn't experienced something as big as this before... Could they freeze in the final? They've got some fantastic young players who I'm sure other managers will be interested in, and those players will want to play in the top division.

  3. What happened 12 months ago?published at 16:29 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    RECAP: How Huddersfield reached the promised land

    Huddersfield in 2017Image source, Rex Features

    In case you've forgotten, last year's final between Huddersfield and Reading went the distance.

    In the end, the Terriers earned promotion on penalties - you can relive the drama with Ian Woodcock's match report here.

  4. get involved

    Get Involved via #bbceflpublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Keep sending us your predictions - who do you want to be seeing in the Premier League next season, and how do you want them to get there?

    Tariq Arafa: All set for a JT bullet header in the 90th minute to win it. Come on Villa

    Dan Griffiths: Torn as to who to support today. The father-in-law is a Birmingham fan so naturally wouldn’t normally go for the Villa, but a lot of people I went to Uni with support the Villa! It’s a tough one. Looking forward to a great game though!!

    Jim: Really looking forward to this final, one huge club staying in the championship next season, going to be a big ask for either in 18-19.

  5. Villa team news: reactionpublished at 16:24 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Phil Cartwright
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Ahmed Elmohamady's inclusion for Aston Villa adds yet more experience to their team for today's play-off final, as my colleague Rob Stevens mentioned earlier.

    Otherwise, it's as you were for Villa, with Albert Adomah, Robert Snodgrass and Jack Grealish given the brief of supporting lone front man Lewis Grabban as often as possible.

  6. Fulham team news: reactionpublished at 16:22 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Rob Stevens
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    Ryan SessegnonImage source, Rex Features

    No surprises in the Fulham line-up, as boss Slavisa Jokanovic keeps faith with the side which beat Derby at Craven Cottage in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals.

    Aboubakar Kamara gets the nod ahead of Floyd Ayite on the right wing, but the Togo forward is one of three attacking options on the bench alongside Lucas Piazon and Rui Fonte. Sheyi Ojo is the unlucky man who misses out on the squad, as only five loanees are allowed in the match day 18.

    Tom Cairney will follow Alan Mullery as only the second man to lead Fulham out at Wembley - the Whites lost the 1975 FA Cup final to West Ham on their only previous visit.

  7. A Pointless journey...published at 16:19 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    There's at least £160m at stake today - and a summer of heartbreak - and this fella is of course going to be to Wembley.

    But the trophy Fulham are aiming to lift today is anything but Pointless...

  8. Tom Hanks' well wishespublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    It doesn't get much more glamorous than this... Earlier in the week, THE Tom Hanks - Hollywood extraordinaire, actor supremo and more - wished his beloved Villa good luck for this afternoon's game.

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  9. Bettinelli defends Cottage celebrationspublished at 16:14 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Denis OdoiImage source, Rex Features

    Fulham keeper Marcus Bettinelli has brushed off criticism of the celebrations following their second-leg victory over Derby County, which saw a pitch invasion at Craven Cottage and several players, including goalscorer Denis Odoi, held aloft on the shoulders of supporters.

    Their 2-0 second leg victory over Derby was their first win in eight play-off matches, with the win booking their first trip to Wembley since 1975.

    "I think a lot of people said we might have over-celebrated that night, but I don't agree with that," Bettinelli told BBC Radio London.

    "It happens very rarely. I sat in those seats when we had the Europa League run and know what it is like to be there on special nights.

    "To be on that pitch, celebrating with them and knowing how much it means to them makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck thinking about it."

  10. Did someone say fancy dress?published at 16:12 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Villa and Fulham fans alike are making the most of the occasion by wearing their, erm, finery?

    Here's a Villa fan chatting to the BBC WM radio team, but check out these Fulham fans...

    Villa fan in hat
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  11. History made for Fulham...published at 16:09 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Nick Godwin
    BBC Radio London sport reporter

    For the first time in 43 years, a Fulham first-team squad have walked into Wembley Stadium to play a football match.

    Chelsea, Arsenal and now Spurs supporters are very used to coming into this stadium to play games at Wembley – those matches are 10 a penny. Not for Fulham, and not for a whole generation of Fulham supporters. You could be in your fifties and never have seen your team play in the national stadium.

    That ends today. Whatever happens after 17:00 BST, you can take that history with you. It’s going to be a tremendous occasion – the atmosphere outside is pretty febrile. The stadium will look absolutely tremendous in the sunshine. It’s going to be very special indeed, and Aston Villa are coming in numbers, too.

  12. Fulham team newspublished at 16:05 British Summer Time 26 May 2018
    Breaking

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Fulham name the same starting XI and substitutes bench that beat Derby County in the second leg of their play-off semi-final.

    Fulham XI: Bettinelli, Fredericks, Odoi, Ream, Targett, McDonald, Cairney (c), Johansen, Kamara, Mitrovic, Sessegnon.

    Subs: Button, Kalas, Christie, Norwood, Ayite, Piazon, Fonte.

  13. Aston Villa team newspublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 26 May 2018
    Breaking

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Villa make just one change from the side that held off Middlesbrough in their semi-final second leg.

    Full-back Ahmed Elmohamady has been passed fit to start after a hamstring niggle, so he returns in place of James Bree, who is on the bench.

    Here's the Villa team:

    Aston Villa XI: Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Terry (c), Hutton, Snodgrass, Jedinak, Hourihane, Adomah, Grealish, Grabban.

    Subs: Bunn, Bree, Whelan, Bjarnason, Onomah, Hogan, Kodjia.

  14. One hour to go...published at 16:00 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Fulham shirtImage source, Rex Features

    There's just an hour to go until kick-off at Wembley.

    Let's bring you some breaking team news...

  15. Worth the wait...published at 15:59 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Phil Cartwright
    BBC Sport at Wembley

    43 years have passed since Fulham last played at Wembley - and this man was in the team that day at the national stadium.

    Bobby Moore and his side were beaten by West Ham in the 1975 FA Cup final on that occasion. Those in white will hope for a different outcome today.

    Bobby Moore statueImage source, BBC Sport
  16. Half-and-half scarves on salepublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Love them or hate them, the half-and-half scarves are on sale today.

    The claret and blue of Villa is in stark contrast with Fulham's traditional black and white colours.

    Half-and-half scarves
  17. get involved

    Get Involved via #bbceflpublished at 15:52 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Have you ever filled a whole bus en route to Wembley? Did you bring your own bunting?

    These Fulham fans did - and they'll be hoping it's not the only open-top bus parade they'll see this season.

    Please do continue to send us your pictures and thoughts on the game today. How are you following proceedings?

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  18. How Villa reached the finalpublished at 15:49 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Jack GrealishImage source, Getty Images

    Villa took a 1-0 lead back to Villa Park after Mile Jedinak's header saw them win their first leg away at Middlesbrough.

    A tense, cagey goalless draw followed in the second leg but that was enough for Steve Bruce's men to go through.

  19. How Fulham reached the finalpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Fulham go throughImage source, Gett

    Fulham had to come from behind against Derby after losing the first leg at Pride Park, 1-0.

    But Slavisa Jokanovic's side did the business at Craven Cottage, winning 2-0 on the night thanks to goals from Ryan Sessegnon and Denis Odoi, to book their place in today's final.

    You can read Gary Smee's second-leg match report here.

  20. Get Involved via #bbceflpublished at 15:42 British Summer Time 26 May 2018

    Aston Villa v Fulham (17:00 BST)

    Here's some more of your thoughts on today's play-off final. It's certainly not too late to have your say, so please do get in touch...

    The Red Devil: Don't mind either side going up, but I'm rooting for Villa purely so we can have at least one West Midlands derby next season

    Tristan Phipps: As much as I think Fulham deserve to win, as a Wolves fan I’d love to have a fiery rivalry next season, with West Brom and Stoke relegated

    David Lloyd: It all comes down to today but im worried about Villa's chance as the strikers just don't seem to be firing on all cylinders. Even Grabban should have a lot more than 8! Heart & head saying different things here....