Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce was pleased with his side's gritty 2-1 win over Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Goals from Albert Adomah and Tottenham loanee Josh Onomah were enough to send Villa to fourth place on the Championship table, just five points behind second-placed Cardiff.

"We have played not very well at all but we've found a way to win," Bruce said.

"That's important. We have played very well on Saturday, but that is the Championship. It's tough.

"I have to say, I thought Sunderland were very decent. They rolled their sleeves up and had a go for the new manager.

"But I thought we were a threat going forward. We found a way to win and in the Championship that's important.

"When you're not playing well and winning it's not a bad thing."