Aston Villa 2-1 Burton: Home win for Steve Bruce and his side

Ross McCormack earned Aston Villa a hard-fought 2-1 win over battling Burton in the Sky Bet Championship.

Villa achieved their fifth successive home victory as a result of McCormack's 79th-minute winner but it was not clear-cut as they struggled for long spells.

They failed to build upon an 11th-minute lead secured by Leandro Bacuna as former Villa player Jamie Ward notched a smart 31st-minute equaliser.

The odds were seemingly stacked heavily against Burton even before the start of the game as they had failed to win an away game this season. But this was not the case as they more than matched an inconsistent Villa side.

It was the first ever league fixture between the two clubs and Burton certainly enjoyed the experience. However, they could feel hard done by in not collecting a point as they were denied by a brilliant last-minute save by goalkeeper Mark Bunn from Tom Naylor.

Villa's expensively-assembled side certainly did not dominate the exchanges despite Bacuna's goal. Burton tenaciously strived for an equaliser and Bunn was again forced to make a smart save to keep out a long-range effort from Naylor, and it was hardly a surprise when Ward scored after half an hour.

John Brayford's cross evaded John Chester, and Ward - rejected by Villa as a youngster for being too small, volleyed home a well-deserved equaliser.

Ward, on loan from Nottingham Forest, was certainly a danger man. He snapped up another good pass and worked his way inside the penalty area only to be thwarted by yet another fine save by Bunn, who had to fling himself to his left to prevent the ball going into the top left-hand corner of the net.

Grealish was drafted in for the second half to replace the injured Gary Gardner and he quickly made an impact, firing in a shot which beat goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin only for the goal to be disallowed due to Kodjia running into an offside position.

The game developed into a frustrating experience for Villa as Albert Adomah, with the goal at his mercy, limply lifted the ball high over the crossbar to waste an excellent opportunity to give Villa the lead.

Live EFL

Only the woodwork saved Villa in the 73rd minute when Dyer fired his effort against the outside of the post and the home side responded to the let-off by forging ahead.

McCormack was on hand to score from close range following substitute Jordan Ayew's cross from the right in the 79th minute.

Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce:

"We were probably fortunate to win. We had the better chances but we found it a bit of a struggle. I do not think anyone who watched the match will think differently.

"It was a tough afternoon for everyone but as I keep saying this is what the Championship is all about. If we are going to go forward our football has got to be better."

Burton boss Nigel Clough:

"I'm told we have had one penalty in 46 games. That does seem a little unfortunate. We have produced some outstanding performances in our last four games which we have lost by the odd goal.

"It is especially galling and we do not deserve it. But that is the ruthless nature of the Championship and we have to get on with it."