Championship Matchday 29 Review - (Part Two)

In Match Day 29 Part Two a win by Aston Villa ensured that Fulham kept hold of sixth place in the Championship two points clear of Sheffield United.

Robert Snodgrass scored a 90th-minute winner to give in-form Aston Villa a 1-0 win at Sheffield United. Scotland midfielder Snodgrass curled in a left-footed effort from the edge of the penalty area to snatch all three points. Villa moved up to third following a fifth straight victory, now only a point behind Derby. The Blades meanwhile remain seventh and two points off the top six.

Preston moved to just three points adrift of sixth-placed Fulham after a 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest. Preston went ahead after 35 minutes through Billy Bodin, who netted his first goal since moving from Bristol Rovers. Tom Barkhuizen headed in a second on the hour and Daniel Johnson wrapped things up from the penalty spot after 83 minutes.

Derby missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Wolves as they were held to a goalless draw at Millwall. Veteran Australia international Tim Cahill, who left Millwall almost 14 years ago to join Everton, was paraded to home fans after sealing a return to the club until the end of the season.

Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday battled through a goalless draw at the Riverside, which did little for the home side's hopes of making up ground on the top six.

It finished 0-0 between Hull and Leeds, which continued the winless Championship runs of both Yorkshire clubs.

Birmingham hauled themselves out of the relegation zone and left Sunderland further in trouble at the wrong end of the Sky Bet Championship with a 3-1 win at St Andrew's. Birmingham moved up to 20th, while Sunderland slipped to second bottom.

Reading eased the pressure on boss Jaap Stam with a comfortable 3-1 victory at struggling Burton, where Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored twice. The Royals had been without a win in eight Championship games while Burton clocked up three defeats on the trot and remain rooted to the bottom of the division.



Birmingham City beat fellow strugglers Sunderland to move out of the Championship relegation zone.

David Davis gave the Blues the lead when he squeezed a finish past Robbin Ruiter at his near post.

Jeremie Boga headed Jacques Maghoma's cross into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 before half-time and Davis squared for Sam Gallagher to tap in a third.

Bryan Oviedo volleyed in a late consolation but the Blues' seventh win of the season moved them up to 20th.


Jon Dadi Bodvarsson scored twice for Reading to leave Burton rooted to the foot of the Championship.

Lucas Akins converted a penalty for the home side, but Bodvarsson scored one in each half and Chris Gunter added a spectacular second to give the Royals their first win in nine.

Burton gave a debut to Darren Bent but he was taken off just after the hour.

The win sees Reading stay in 18th place, but leaves Burton with just one point at home from their past 11 games.


Leeds United held on for a goalless draw at relegation-threatened Hull City to end their three-game losing run.

Goalkeeper Felix Wiedwald made a number of key saves for Leeds before the break, keeping Jarrod Bowen, Nouha Dicko and Jackson Irvine out.

After the break, Dicko sent a glorious chance over the bar after Wiedwald parried into the striker's path.

While Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Ezgjan Alioski both had chances for Leeds, neither side could find a winner.

For the first time in three games, Thomas Christiansen's Leeds side finished with a full complement of players and avoided defeat.

A point for Hull leaves them 21st in the table and above the relegation places on goal difference, but Nigel Adkins' side pressed for maximum points throughout.


Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough were held to a goalless draw by Sheffield Wednesday at the Riverside.

Boro dominated the game, having seven shots on target to Wednesday's one, but could not get past Joe Wildsmith.

Ben Gibson hit the inside of the post from a set piece, while Patrick Bamford, Ryan Shotton and Daniel Ayala all also went close with headers.

Stuart Downing volleyed narrowly wide and Ayala bounced a late header over but Wednesday held on for a point.

Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay has now drawn all three of his Championship games 0-0 since his appointment as manager earlier this month, although he has won two FA Cup fixtures.


Derby's lead over third-placed Aston Villa was cut to one point after they were held to a drab draw at Millwall.

Shaun Hutchinson made a goal-saving block to deny Derby's Matej Vydra while the hosts were not given a penalty when Lee Gregory was caught by a high foot.

The Rams had 60% possession but needed keeper Scott Carson to save Jed Wallace's effort with his legs.

Substitute Ikechi Anya did find the net for the visitors seven minutes from time but was flagged offside.

Neil Harris' Millwall moved up a place to 14th, but might have taken all three points had Hutchinson been given a spot kick when his shot appeared to strike a Derby hand late on.


Preston climbed to within three points of the Championship play-off places with victory at Nottingham Forest.

Billy Bodin put the visitors in front with his first goal for the club, slotting past Jordan Smith from Callum Robinson's through ball.

Tom Barkhuizen doubled the lead, heading home Paul Gallagher's corner.

Preston, who left out striker Jordan Hugill amid interest from Crystal Palace, then sealed the win when Daniel Johnson fired in from the penalty spot.

Victory at the City Ground was a first in 15 years for Preston, playing without Hugill after manager Alex Neil "decided a team fully focused on the game" was required.



Robert Snodgrass scored a last-minute winner at Sheffield United to send Aston Villa third in the Championship.

Jack O'Connell crashed an early header off the bar, setting the tone for a first half largely dominated by United.

Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone ensured it remained scoreless at half-time, denying Leon Clarke and George Baldock.

Johnstone made two further instrumental stops, foiling John Fleck before crucially keeping O'Connell out after Snodgrass had cut inside to curl home.

Snodgrass's seventh goal of the season extended Villa's winning run to five matches in all competitions and moves them to within a point of Derby in the second, and last, automatic promotion spot after the Rams drew 0-0 at Millwall.



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