ACE JACK’S THE KING!

JACK GREALISH got the royal seal of approval after scoring a volley that was fit for a future king.

Avid Villa fan Prince William was in the stands as Steve Bruce’s side got their bid for a top-two finish back on track with a vital victory.

But they were grateful to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone for keeping them in the game with three cracking saves.

Villa had only taken four points from their last five games but Grealish’s cracker in the 85th minute means they are now only five points behind Fulham in second.

After their incredible run of eight straight wins, Cardiff have earned just a single point from their last three outings and slip to third as a result.

The stakes couldn’t have been higher as these two teams set about taking the initiative in the early exchanges.

Both threatened early and Villa could easily have been in front after just two minutes when Robert Snodgrass sent Lewis Grabban through with a perfectly-weighted pass.

The striker delayed too long, though, and ended up drilling into the side-netting.

Then it was the visitors’ turn to go close as Nathaniel Mendez-Laing homed in on goal only to see his effort hit the post and bounce out.

Then Grealish provoked a touchline rant from Cardiff boss Neil Warnock – who has history with the Villa man.