Steve Bruce: There's more to come from Aston Villa

Goals from Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane earned Villa a 2-1 home victory over their Midlands rivals and saw them record back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Bruce was impressed by the character of his team, who found themselves pegged back early in the second half when Daryl Murphy cancelled out Adomah’s opener.

Hourihane fired home his fifth goal of the season with a 25-yard free-kick to earn Villa the spoils.

And Bruce said: “They got a break with the goal from a horrible ricochet but we responded.

“We can still play better and we have played better in the past and not won. But it’s the start of a decent week, hopefully.

“Already the players are playing under pressure because it’s Aston Villa. I understand that but, thankfully, they’ve responded. Gradually, wins will breed confidence.”

Villa have now taken 12 points from their last six Championship games and now head to Burton on Tuesday, before hosting bottom of the table Bolton next Saturday.

Bruce was delighted, in particular, with the performance of both goalscorers. Adomah now has four goals for the season, including three in his last two games.

Bruce said: “It’s a great finish from Albert and I’m pleased for him. He’s responded in the right way after the gauntlet has been thrown down with people like Robert Snodgrass and Ahmed Elmohamady walking into the building but he’s responded in the right way.

“He’s set high standards and he’s got to stay there.

“I always thought we looked a threat. It’s took a great free-kick from Conor who it looks like now is coming to terms with it (playing for Villa).

“No disrespect to Barnsley but that’s what he was doing for two and a half years at Barnsley and he’s come here and found it more difficult. But he’s knuckled down, he wants to do well, he’s football mad. He’s the first in and last out and I’m pleased for him.

“He’s a great lad, great pro and he’s now got five goals which is a great return.”