The game started pretty quietly with Villa having slightly better of the early play, forcing Nash into a smart save at his near post early on. That was to be his only real test of the game, as Villa were mainly restricted to long range efforts.
It was a dull start to the game, that was livened up with a brilliant opening goal on the half hour mark. Juninho picked the ball up on the half way line and spread the ball out to Queudrue. The Frenchman ran down the line, before delivering a perfect ball into the box for Zenden to head Boro in front.
Zenden almost extended the lead just before half time, firing his 18 yard shot into the side netting. Boro doubled their lead on 47 minutes, with Zenden again involved. The Dutchman flew down the left before cutting into the area and being felled. Michael Ricketts showed great courage to pick the ball up and slot the penalty home, to the delight of the noisy Boro faithful.
For the rest of the game Villa piled on the pressure, but never really looked like scoring, with Cooper and Southgate magnificent. It was a well deserved win for the Teessiders, and it was topped off with Boateng, Franck and Zenden coming over to the fans at the end to lead the EIO's.