Aston Villa moved to within three points of second-place Derby County on Saturday afternoon, with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Barnsley at Villa Park putting Steve Bruce’s side within touching distance of an automatic promotion spot.

Striker Scott Hogan bagged an early double to put the hosts in firm control, before midfielder Conor Hourihane wrapped up the game before the twenty minute mark following a consolation goal for Tykes man, Dimitri Cavare.

The result means Bruce’s side have now won four league games on the bounce, and confidence is high that the West Midlanders can secure a Premier League return in the coming months.

Striker Hogan has hit a real purple patch in recent weeks, and was delighted with his side’s latest victory.

“It was a cold day and the pitch wasn’t the best, but it was just important that we won,” he told the club’s official website.

On his form, Hogan commented: “I’ve rediscovered what I know I can do. I’ve got back to what I know I can do, and what I’m used to doing, and it’s just about maintaining that.”

The Verdict

Hogan had received a lot of stick for his poor performances following his mega money signing from Brentford last year, but the 25-year-old has silenced his critics in recent weeks after finally beginning to replicate the form he showed in West London.

With Hogan banging in the goals, Villa fans will be growing increasingly confident of sneaking into the top two in the coming weeks, and Bruce’s side simply must keep winning to maintain the pressure on promotion rivals, Derby County and Cardiff City.

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