Villa beat second placed Cardiff in Tommy Docherty’s second game in charge as the recalled Barrie Hole scores for the second successive match and new-boy Brian Tiler, signed by Docherty the previous Monday, scores on debut. 

For good measure Willie Anderson, dropped by former boss Tommy Cummings, continues his rehabilitation under Docherty with his second assist in two games.

Tommy Docherty makes it two wins in two as Villa now have five wins in the last thirty games and make it five wins, eight draws and twelve defeats in twenty five division two games so far this season. 

Villa win consecutive games for the first time this season - a feat witnessed by the highest gate in the second division this season. 

Meanwhile, centre back Brian Tiler made a goalscoring debut aged 25 after moving from Rotherham United for a free of £33,000 on Monday.