The regular season in the 2019 Championship came to an end with all twenty four clubs in action early on Sunday afternoon. Norwich City secured top spot with a two one success at fifth place and play-off bound Aston Villa who included Conor Hourihane and Glenn Whelan in their starting eleven. Sheffield United fill the other automatic promotion position and they completed their season with a two all draw at Stoke City where John Egan, Enda Stevens, who scored again and David McGoldrick all started, with Aston Villa loanee Scott Hogan on the substitute bench while James McClean was in the home starting eleven. Leeds United remained in third place despite going down to a three two defeat at relegated bottom side Ipswich Town who included Alan Judge in their starting eleven. The sixth and final play-off position goes to Derby County, skippered by Richard Keogh, who defeated fourth place West Bromwich Albion by three goals to one at Pride Park. Daragh Lenihan started alongside Derrick Williams and scored for Blackburn Rovers in their two all draw with Swansea City at Ewood Park. Brentford defeated Preston North End by three goals to nil at Griffin Park where Alan Browne, Sean Maguire, Joe Rafferty and Callum Robinson all started for the visitors with teenager Adam O’Reilly unused on the substitute bench. Keiren Westwood returned for Sheffield Wednesday following injury but his side went down to a two one defeat by visitors QPR at Hillsborough where Ryan Manning and Olamide Shodipo both started for the victors. John O’Shea, who announced his retirement in midweek, was a ninetieth minute substitute for Reading in their scoreless draw with visitors Birmingham City at the Madejski Stadium where young midfielder Josh Barrett was a starter for the ‘Royals’.
The first legs in the promotion play-offs are scheduled for Saturday the 11th May with Aston Villa hosting West Bromwich Albion at 12.30pm and Derby County entertaining Leeds United at 5.15pm.
In the second legs, West Bromwich Albion will host Aston Villa at 8pm on Tuesday the 14th May and Leeds United will entertain Derby County at 7.45pm on Wednesday the 15th May 2019.