Villa, flying along nicely, record yet another win in their quest for promotion, remain top, four clear of second placed cardiff, seven ahead of Rotherham in third, and nine more than Boro in fourth. Up next is mid table Ipswich, at team who Villa are unbeaten against in their three meetings to date.

Joe Mercer's Villa return to League action and extend their unbeaten run to seven, winning for the sixth time over that period to make it eighteen wins, six draws and three defeats, all away, in twenty seven division two games so far this season as their excellent progress towards promotion from the second tier continues.