Huddersfield Town vs Aston Villa. Sky Bet Championship.
The John Smith's StadiumAttendance20,584.
Tuesday 7 March 2017 22:56, UK
Huddersfield kept their hopes of automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night.
Captain Tommy Smith's drilled effort midway through the second half was enough to keep Huddersfield third, and they have a game in hand on second-placed Brighton who are six points ahead.
Henri Lansbury had gone close for Villa in the first half but the midfielder saw his powerful volley crash off the bar.
The defeat ends Villa's run of three league wins in a row, and Steve Bruce's side move down to 15th as a result.
In an even first half, it was Villa who had the better of the chances - and James Bree forced Joel Coleman into an early save with an effort from the edge of the area.
Conor Hourihane then sent a gilt-edged chance over the bar from 10 yards out after being played through by Jonathan Kodjia.
Although Huddersfield had more than their fair share of possession, it was Villa again who almost broke the deadlock, but Lansbury's volley cannoned off bar after Kodjia held off three defenders and burst into the box.
A second half of few opportunities eventually led to Huddersfield breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute when Smith received Aaron Moor's low corner and drilled a low effort across goal.
Villa failed to record a shot on target after the break and their misery was compounded when Kodjia was booked for simulation in search for a penalty.
Huddersfield boss David Wagner:
We have 11 games to go and we have 68 points. These are the facts. It was important that we made a statement after the defeat against Newcastle and we did that.
"It is my job to improve players but there is a lot more to come from these players and I want them to become better still.
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce:
"I can't fault the endeavour and effort of the players and because of that we should have won the game.
"We looked a very decent team and deserved more for that display. Our Achilles heel was that we didn't take our chances."
