Bruce’s return to Villa ruined by Hourihane

ASTON VILLA 2 NEWCASTLE 0

THERE were no flying cabbages this time, but neither was there a happy return to Villa Park for Steve Bruce as his former club put the brakes on Newcastle’s recent revival. The last time Bruce was here, he was in charge of Aston Villa and had a cabbage launched in his direction by a fan during a 3-3 draw with Preston on October 2 last year. He was sacked the following day. This result is unlikely to produce a similar outcome for Bruce, but goals from Conor Hourihane and Anwar El Ghazi may have planted more seeds of doubt in his mind. With the returning Jack Grealish playing a decisive role yet again, it was a crucial win for Villa in their own survival battle. Afterwards, Grealish paid tribute to Hourihane, saying: ‘We all know the quality that Conor has from set-pieces and he showed that tonight. In the last minute of the set up for the free-kick, he told me where he wanted it and got an assist.’ The first goal arrived in the 32nd minute as Grealish raced on to a raking through ball, only for the attacking midfielder to be pushed in the back by the covering DeAndre Yedlin a yard outside the area. It was prime territory for Hourihane, whose first touch was a tap pass to Grealish who in turn stopped the ball dead. The Republic of Ireland international sumptuously whipped around the wall, and the poorly-positioned Martin Dubravka, for his fifth goal of the season. Four minutes later Villa doubled their lead. Hourihane found El Ghazi in the box with a pinpoint free-kick delivery and the Dutchman stabbed home from three yards out.