TONY PULIS has named an unchanged starting line-up for the first leg of Middlesbrough's play-off semi-final with Aston Villa.

Pulis used his pre-match press conference to reveal that he would be selecting the same side that drew 2-2 at Ipswich in the final game of the regular season, and the Boro boss has been as good as his word.

Britt Assombalonga is preferred to Patrick Bamford in attack, with Adam Clayton getting the nod ahead of Grant Leadbitter at the base of midfield.

Adama Traore will be lining up against the side that led him go as he looks to fire Boro towards Wembley, with former Middlesbrough midfielder Albert Adomah starting for Villa.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-1-4-1): Randolph; Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend; Clayton; Traore, Besic, Howson, Downing; Assombalonga.

Subs: Konstantopoulos (gk), Fabio, Fry, Cranie, Leadbitter, Harrison, Bamford.

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Johnstone; Elmohamady, Chester, Terry, Hutton; Jedinak, Hourihane; Snodgrass, Grealish, Adomah; Grabban.

Subs: Bunn (gk), Samba, Whelan, Bjarnason, Onomah, Hogan, Kodjia.