Villa win their game in hand over Cardiff to close the gap to the leaders to one point but the game itself is little more than a bout of violence interspersed with quality moves from Villa that see them ascend over thuggish Derby.

Joe Mercer's Villa make it three successive wins and extend their unbeaten run to four as they make it twenty one wins, eight draws and five defeats, four away, in thirty four division two games so far this season as their strong progress towards promotion from the second tier continues.