Huddersfield kept their hopes of automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aston Villa at the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday night.

Captain Tommy Smith’s drilled effort midway through the second half was enough to keep Huddersfield third, and they have a game in hand on second-placed Brighton who are six points ahead.

Henri Lansbury had gone close for Villa in the first half but the midfielder saw his powerful volley crash off the bar.

The defeat ends Villa’s run of three league wins in a row, and Steve Bruce’s side move down to 15th as a result.

In an even first half, it was Villa who had the better of the chances - and James Bree forced Joel Coleman into an early save with an effort from the edge of the area.

Conor Hourihane then sent a gilt-edged chance over the bar from 10 yards out after being played through by Jonathan Kodjia.

Although Huddersfield had more than their fair share of possession, it was Villa again who almost broke the deadlock, but Lansbury’s volley cannoned off bar after Kodjia held off three defenders and burst into the box.

A second half of few opportunities eventually led to Huddersfield breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute when Smith received Aaron Moor’s low corner and drilled a low effort across goal.

Villa failed to record a shot on target after the break and their misery was compounded when Kodjia was booked for simulation in search for a penalty.