Aston Villa continued their push for promotion as they condemned Leeds United to another defeat.
Lewis Grabban scored the only goal of the game in the first half as the home side moved to within two points of the automatic promotion places and confirmed at least a play-off place this season.
Leeds welcomed Matthew Pennington back into the side after injury and youngster Tom Pearce came back into the side for his second senior appearance.
The home side dominated the first half. Former Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass stung the palms of Leeds keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell and Jack Grealish saw his shot deflected wide as the home side looked for the opening goal.
It eventually came on 29 minutes when Grabban found space in the Leeds penalty area to head home a Grealish cross
Grealish had another chance for the home side before the break but the impressive Peacock-Farrell denied the midfielder.
Leeds improved after the break and Kalvin Phillips came close to equalising when his shot beat Sam Johnstone in the Aston Villa goal but Glen Whelan was on the line to clear his effort.
Pearce then flicked a Pablo Hernandez corner just wide of the far post and Ronaldo Vieira fired over for Leeds as they enjoyed a good spell in the game.
Peacock-Farrell then kept Leeds in the game with a superb double save to first deny Jonathan Kodija and then Grabban.
Aston Villa substitute Albert Adomah then tested Peacock-Farrell and only a last-ditch Pennington tackle denied Scott Hogan a shot on goal as the home side finished the game on the front foot.
Teams
Aston Villa
Johnstone, Elmohamady, Chester, Jedinak, Taylor, Whelan, Onomah (Samba 85), Grealish, Kodjia (Adomah 66), Grabban (Hogan 78), Snodgrass
Subs not used
Bunn, Bree, Lansbury, Hourihane.
Leeds
Peacock-Farrell, Dallas, Pennington, O’Connor, Pearce, Phillips, Vieira, Hernandez, Roofe (Lasogga 78), Ekuban (Saiz 45), Alioski (Grot 66)
Subs not used
Lonergan, Anita, O’Kane, Struijk