Dean Smith’s first game as Aston Villa’s head coach saw his side pick up three points with a 1-0 home win over Swansea for only their second victory in 11 games.
Making a perfect start to his new job Smith bucked the trend as he became the first of the last seven Villa managers to win his first match in charge.
It was also Villa’s first win in their last six league games against the Welsh club to inspire hopes of a much needed revival and climb up the Championship table.
Villa’s belated home success was created by an early strike from their on-loan striker Tammy Abraham with a quality eighth minute finish.
It was, however, a typical Villa performance. Urged on by a near capacity crowd of 41,336 they dominated the early exchanges only to lose the initiative in the second period when they sadly lacked the killer instinct to finish off the opposition.
Smith, assisted by Villa’s former skipper John Terry, created a surprise by dropping the highly rated Jonathan Kodjia to the bench.
James Chester returned after suspension imposed for a sending off in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Preston which ultimately led to the sacking of former manager Steve Bruce.
Following a minute’s applause for the the club’s former chairman Sir Doug Ellis, Villa typically made all the early running with Swansea pushed back.
The home side made a dream start when Abraham put them ahead after only eight minutes. A high cross into the heart of a packed Swansea defence saw Abraham, who scored five goals for the visitors last season, rise above everyone else to score with a majestic close range header.
Despite this early goal and their dominance Villa produced very few real goal opportunities. Albert Adomah twice tested Kristoffer Nordfeldt but on each occasion the Swans keeper was alive to the danger.
Swansea, who have not scored a first half away goal since December 2017, gave little indication of changing this trend as they struggled to produce any serious attacks with the exception of a 44th minute effort from Connor Roberts which was well saved by Orjan Nyland.
Twice in quick succession Jack Grealish attempted to get on the scoresheet for Villa only to be thwarted on each occasion by the well positioned Nordfeldt.
The Swans keeper was again in the right spot at the right time to save a shot on the turn from Abraham in the 62nd minute.
Villa’s defence then held firm as Bersant Celina went close to grabbing an equaliser.
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