Villa took the lead through Anwar El Ghazi late in the first half, and doubled their advantage with a goal from man of the match John McGinn.

Despite a late consolation goal from Derby's Jack Marriott, Villa won the match 2–1 to return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2015–16 season.

The season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and concluded in July 2020 with Derby in tenth position in the table, six points outside the playoffs.

[2] Derby lost the first leg of the play-off semi-finals at home at Pride Park against Leeds United 1–0 thanks to a second-half Kemar Roofe goal.

[7] The second leg, at Leeds' Elland Road, was described by Ian Woodcock writing for BBC Sport as "a wild night".

[9] The return fixture was played at West Brom's The Hawthorns where the home team took the lead after 29 minutes with a Craig Dawson goal to equalise the semi-final on aggregate.

[11] Derby County had last been promoted the top flight of English football through the playoffs in 2007, beating West Bromwich Albion 1–0 in the final.

In the 13th minute, Jayden Bogle was dispossessed during a rare Derby attack, but a tackle from Richard Keogh denied El Ghazi a chance to score.

The first booking of the match came in the 27th minute: El Ghazi pulled Bogle back on the edge of the area and Villa's Dutch winger was shown a yellow card.

[26] Two minutes later, Villa's Tammy Abraham received the ball on the edge of the area, turned and advanced; his shot flew high and wide.

Just before half-time, El Ghazi was picked out by a cross from Elmohamady, diving between two defenders to score with his shoulder from six yards, ensuring Villa held a 1–0 advantage at the break.

Bogle's trip on El Ghazi in the 53rd minute resulted in a free kick which was taken by Hourihane whose cross for Mings was punched clear by the Derby goalkeeper Kelle Roos.

Derby County manager Frank Lampard made his first substitution immediately afterwards, sending on striker Marriott to replace the defensive midfielder Tom Huddlestone.

El Ghazi's 70th-minute strike was easily held by Roos and a minute later, Derby's Bogle struck the side netting with a shot despite Waghorn being in a better position to score.

In the 73rd minute, Derby made their final substitution, Florian Jozefzoon coming on for Tom Lawrence, while Villa's Andre Green replaced Albert Adomah.

A clearance from Mings was collected by Jozefzoon whose cross was headed on to Marriott; he controlled the ball and struck it into the bottom left of the Villa goal.

"[27] Lampard was appointed Chelsea manager with a three-year deal on 4 July 2019, and was replaced at Derby by former Dutch international player Phillip Cocu.

[19] The season was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, and concluded in July 2020 with Derby in tenth position in the table, six points outside the playoffs.