Ex-Cat Grabban keeps Villa hope alive
Aston Villa moved to within two points of the Sky Bet Championship automatic promotion places with last nights 1-0 win over Leeds.
Former Sunderland loan striker Lewis Grabban’s firsthalf header was enough to give the hosts victory at Villa Park as Leeds fell to their 10th defeat of 2018.
Villa, who at the very least are guaranteed a play-off spot, have played one game more than second-placed Fulham, while Cardiff – a point better off than Steve Bruce’s side – have played two games fewer.
Ex-Sunderland boss Bruce said: “We’ve done enough to win the game. It was never a classic, but we’ve got over the line.
“After a big game against Cardiff, this is now back to back wins, which is always important. We got the job done, but there were some tired bodies” Paul Heckingbottom suffered his seventh defeat in 13 games since taking over as Leeds manager, while Bruce extended his managerial record of never having been beaten at home by Leeds to eight games. Heckingbottom praised keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell but admitted that Leeds’ shortcomings were evident again.
The ex-Barnsley boss, who has had to shrug off speculation about his future, admitted he was craving another victory having recorded only two in two months at Leeds, saying: “I’m learning a hell of lot about the players. Next season, we want to produce a stronger team and a stronger squad.
“I’m not taking anything away from Villa, but most of their best attacks came from us losing the ball. We needed to score in our best spell, the half-hour after half-time.”