Lewis Grabban: Aston Villa back on track after 'kick up the backside'

Striker Grabban bagged his fifth goal since joining on loan from Bournemouth in January to earn Villa a 1-0 win over Leeds on Friday night, which confirmed their place in the Championship play-offs.

The win was also Villa’s second on the spin, following a dire defeat at Norwich which prompted boss Bruce to give his players a tongue-lashing.

And Grabban said: “Sometimes that is the kick up the bum you need.

“Hopefully, it has spurred us on. The two home games, it was massively important for us to get two wins.

“We want to keep going. We needed to take a look at ourselves (after Norwich). The opportunity we have ahead, we have to take it.”

Bruce admitted he had got “close to the edge” with his players following their sorry showing at Carrow Road.

The boss said: “When you get that far on the edge, you hope you haven’t gone too far.

“Thankfully the players have responded and agreed.”

Grabban, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Sunderland, headed home Jack Grealish’s 29th minute cross for what was his 17th league goal of the campaign.

Villa are now four points behind Cardiff, who moved back into second place following Fulham’s failure to beat Brentford.

The Cottagers drew 1-1 after being pegged back by a stoppage time equaliser and Grabban added: “It’s not over at all. They still have to win their games. If we can win ours and maybe they slip, like we have slipped, then you never know. We will keep going.

“Until we can’t get the second spot, we have to keep going. Obviously it is nice we are in the play-offs but we just want to win games.”