Tommy Smith ensured Huddersfield kept up the pressure on the Championship's top two with a 1-0 victory over resurgent Aston Villa.
Stand-in skipper Smith drilled home his fourth goal of the season as Huddersfield hit back after a morale-sapping defeat to leaders Newcastle on Saturday.
Villa were on the rise after three successive victories and boss Steve Bruce looked set to inflict more damage on his former club's hopes of automatic promotion.
Town, only beaten twice in the previous 16 league games, were far from their best but they hung in to secure a precious three points.
Huddersfield Town 1-0 Aston Villa
