Steve Bruce hails 'terrific' Aston Villa after Wolves thumping

Goals from Albert Adomah, James Chester, Jack Grealish and Birkir Bjarnason saw Villa record a 4-1 win and inflict the heaviest defeat of the season the long-time Championship leaders.

Bruce’s men remain third in the table, still four points behind second-placed Cardiff.

But the gap to Wolves - who have been top of the table since October - has now been cut to just seven points.

Bruce said: “We played very well and we needed to against a very, very decent team. I even said to my staff at half-time, even when it was one each it was a great game.

“It was a great advert for the Championship. To come out in the second half and score three goals was good to see.”

Adomah gave Villa the perfect start when he broke the deadlock inside eight minutes and though Diogo Jota brought Wolves level, Chester restored the home side’s lead when he converted from close range early in the second half.

Grabban then scored for the fourth game running to give Villa breathing space, before Bjarnason sealed a memorable win with a superb solo effort.

Villa’s win came at the end of a week when Wolves’s relationship with super-agent Jorge Mendes has come under intense scrutiny.

Bruce said: “They have players who were playing in the Champions League last year, to come and play in the Championship is a big call.

“In that respect, to play against them and beat them so handsomely was terrific from our boys.

“But then again, we’ve got some terrific experience and a bit of knowhow and they’ve took them on today and thoroughly beat them.”

Asked if Villa can now chase down Wolves, Bruce replied: “We’re English, our duty is to try and chase. Cardiff are making one hell of a run, Fulham are making a run, we’re having a go.

“I’ve kept saying it would take an almighty collapse with the standards they’ve set, but it’s the Championship and nothing surprises me with how difficult it becomes.

“The tickly bit is upon you and that will happen to us all, it’s how you handle it. We’ve handled it tonight, played well and got an absolutely unbelievable crowd behind us which was fantastic. It’s not been like that for a few years for sure.

“Some were saying Wolves were the best team they’d seen in the Championship and this, that and the other.

“You just quietly get on with your job and hope that you can put a run together.

“They are a very good side with some good players. At the end of the day they’re the ones to be shot at.”