VILLANS CUT DOWN TO SIZE

LAST summer this fixture was billed as a promotion-hunter versus a side of more modest ambitions. Now it has come round again the roles have been reversed. David Wagner’s promotion-chasing Huddersfield Town were not at their best but Tommy Smith’s goal ended Aston Villa’s winning run at three matches. Villa have spent £80million in two transfer windows yet will still be a Championship club next season. Huddersfield operate on a fraction of the budget and are within range of securing automatic promotion. The visitors were punished in the 69th minute when they gave Smith too much space from a short corner. The right back burst into the box, steadied himself and fired a low shot into the far corner. It was the first goal Steve Bruce’s side had conceded in 370 minutes. ‘That’s the best we’ve played since I’ve been at the club in terms of who we were against,’ said Bruce. ‘We had resilience and spirit. Our achilles heel is not taking chances.’ The best of those chances were both in the first half. Jonathan Kodjia sent Conor Hourihane clean through but the midfielder lashed over. Henri Lansbury went closer shortly after, connecting sweetly from the edge of the area to send a fierce shot crashing against the bar. ‘We were lucky it was 0-0 at half-time,’ admitted Wagner. ‘But only the hard worker has luck. My players fought. This was a huge result and a big statement.’