Preston North End 0-2 Aston Villa: James Chester and Robert Snodgrass wrap up all three points at Deepdale

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Aston Villa returned to the Championship play-off places as first-half goals from James Chester and Robert Snodgrass extended their impressive record to one league defeat in 12.

Weakened Preston were without five defenders including suspended captain Paul Huntington and held out for only 12 minutes when Snodgrass, on loan from West Ham, found the head of Wales international James Chester with an outswinging corner.

Snodgrass then secured the visitor’s rise to fifth place when he buried a low cross from Josh Onomah, the winger having robbed Ben Pearson by the touchline to leave North End’s stand-in skipper holding his head in his hands.

Robert Snodgrass shaped his body to curl home Aston Villa's second on the half-hour mark

The Scotsman wheeled away in celebration after doubling Villa's margin at Deepdale

Captain John Terry continued to bark commands as Villa players celebrated Snodgrass's strike

The Scot is enjoying a new lease of life at Villa having been unwanted by Hammers boss Slaven Bilic and Bruce admitted: ‘His confidence was low because he hadn’t been playing but we’ve given him the chance, he’s doing well for us and long may it continue. Hopefully he’ll stay here.

‘We were excellent tonight and could have won by more. A club like Villa needs to be in the top six and over the past couple of months we’ve been the most consistent side in the division.

After last season’s corresponding fixture, Villa sacked Roberto di Matteo after a 2-0 defeat at Deepdale but they look a far more robust proposition under Bruce.

At the back, 36-year-old John Terry looked commanding and showed all his knowhow to produce a brilliant defensive diving header that prevented Tom Barkhuizen from nabbing an equaliser at 1-0 with Bruce adding: ‘He and James Chester were immaculate.’

Preston have gone off the boil under Alex Neil after a bright start to the season and were lucky that Keinan Davis, Josh Onomah and Albert Adomah all missed chances to increase the visitor’s winning margin. 'Without so many injuries it was always going to be difficult,' admitted Neil after.

James Chester had leapt highest to head Aston Villa in front during the opening stages

The defender was mobbed by his team-mates after putting Villa ahead in the match

£8million-rated striker Jordan Hugill headed the home side’s best chance wide but they rarely threatened despite going more direct in the second half.

Bruce withdrew his young forward Davis before the end after he was booked for a challenge that left North End’s Andy Boyle poleaxed.