JUST when they needed it, Aston Villa’s favourite opponents turned up.
Villa hadn’t won a game this year, but whenever they are at home to Derby it’s a certain victory.
Leandro Bacuna did his best to upset things when he barged a linesman and was sent off with minutes left and Villa under pressure, but the hosts held on.
This was their tenth successive home win against Derby, a run that began the year Roger Bannister did the mile in under four minutes back in 1954.
But this season has been more like an unrelenting marathon for Villa. Manager Steve Bruce was feeling the heat as Villa dropped from tenth on Boxing Day to near the Championship relegation zone.
But the ex-defender reckons he’s got the answer to follow up their first win in 11 games in all competitions, with another at home to Bristol City on Tuesday night.
“I was having a bit of tea with my daughter yesterday and the waiter dropped a pint of blackcurrant and lemonade all over her,” said Bruce.
Denne historien er fra February 26, 2017-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
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Denne historien er fra February 26, 2017-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
END OF CUP ROAD FOR EFL BATTLERS
EFL interest in this season’s Carabao Cup came to an end in midweek, but it certainly wasn’t for the want of trying.
GOALS GALORE IN THE TROPHY
THE goals flew in from all angles as the Bristol Street Motors Trophy revved into action again in midweek.
KEEPER GAFFE SINKS TOWN
HUDDERSFIELD boss Michael Duff questioned his players’ mentality after goalkeeper Chris Maxwell’s bloomer handed NonLeague Tamworth a shock win.
ACE SLEW & WILLIAMS SEE OFF REBELS...
DECISIVE goals at either end of the game from Jordan Slew and Rhys Williams helped League Two Morecambe avoid a potential banana skin against National League South outfit Worthing.
MATT'S MEN JUST HAVE ENOUGH GAS
HONEST Bristol Rovers boss Matt Taylor has acknowledged his side were pushed all the way in their tie against Weston-super-Mare.
'WHITES' ARRAY OF FIREPOWER WILL GIVE THEM THE EDGE OVER RIVALS'
GARY Rowett says Leeds’ glittering arsenal of attacking stars will bring the Championship title to Elland Road.
POMPEY'S GAME OF TWO HALVES
Murphy's in to deny the Tigers
SET-PLAY PREP PAYING OFF FOR PELACH
NARCIS Pelach admitted Stoke have been working tirelessly on set-pieces since his arrival – and he was pleased the hard work paid dividends with the winner against Derby.
Robins lays marker to his Sky Blues
MARK Robins has challenged his Coventry City players to go on a Championship charge after the Sky Blues ended their wait for success on their travels with resounding victory against ten-man Boro.
JUST FAB FOUR BAYO IS UNSTOPPABLE
FOUR second-half goals in an incredible display from Vakoun Bayo powered Watford to a resounding victory at Hillsborough.
