West Bromwich Albion lost to Aston Villa on penalties.
Aston Villa knocked West Bromwich Albion out of the play-offs on a penalty shootout.
Villa’s win was helped by the lack of an away goals rule.
The 2-2 aggregate scoreline would have meant West Brom went through to the final on away goals courtesy of their goal at Villa Park in the first leg.
Away goals were abolished from the play-offs in 1999.
Despite that, the rule has remained present in European competition. Tottenham won both their Champions League quarter-finals and semi-finals on away goals.
Some West Brom fans were unhappy about the way their team were eliminated…
Even given the agonising circumstances of their exit, there is nothing West Brom can do about it now other than plan for next season.
They still have one of the best squads in the Championship and they will be better and wiser for their first experience back in the division.
This will motivate the team to push on for an automatic promotion spot, ensuring nothing is left to chance in the play-off lottery.
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