As Dwight Gayle slid in to try and score a late equaliser in West Brom's play-off semi-final first leg at Villa Park, the away end held their breath.

Then, to their dismay, their star striker was shown a red card having been shown a second yellow for the challenge.

Gayle opened the scoring for the visitors just 16 minutes into the first half, finishing emphatically after a mistake from Glenn Whelan slipped him through.

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But Dean Smith's side roared back in the second half, pinning their local rivals in their own half and it was a screamer from Conor Hourihane that dragged them level with 15 minutes remaining before Tammy Abraham completed the turnaround from the spot.

A gut punching capitulation, but as long as they still boasted a full strength side at the Hawthorns, hope still remained.

But the red card for the Baggies' player of the season is about as big a blow as they could have possibly received.

Having scored 23 league goals, Gayle is somebody who has been consistently brilliant and won matches on his own on more than one occasion this season.

To make matters worse, after his red card on the final day of the season, Hal Robson Kanu, who would usually be called upon in a moment like this, is also suspended.

So, Shan is likely to turn to their January loan signing, Jacob Murphy.

After showing he has what it takes to perform in the second tier with Norwich two years ago, his two goals and one assist at West Brom has been rather underwhelming to say the least.

But hope remains as there is clearly an immensely talented player in there who for whatever reason has failed to step up for the Baggies so far.

However, now, they need him to. With no Gayle in attack there is going to be a serious lack of spark in and around the Aston Villa penalty area.

If Murphy can harness the talent we all know he has and sparkle in one of the biggest matches of his career, then it could well be a very memorable night for the club.