Steve Bruce’s unbeaten reign as Aston Villa manager was extended to seven games with victory over Cardiff City. The hosts took the lead when Jordan Amavi crossed for Albert Adomah to tuck home his first Villa goal. Rickie Lambert’s calm finish when one-on-one levelled the score, but Jonathan Kodjia’s header restored Villa’s lead. Cardiff dominated the second half, but saw Lee Peltier sent off for a second yellow, before Rudy Gestede netted a penalty after Jack Grealish was fouled. The victory enabled Villa to break into the top half of the Championship table, while the Welsh side slipped into the bottom three after Blackburn’s surprise win at Newcastle. But Neil Warnock’s side will feel aggrieved not to have taken something from the match, having carved out the better of the chances in the second half. Sean Morrison headed over the bar when well-placed on the hour mark, before substitute Frederic Gounongbe was guilty of heading straight at Pierluigi Gollini. Peltier’s second booking, for a late foul, plus Gestede’s penalty eased the pressure for the hosts, who maintained the division’s only unbeaten home record.