Nahki Wells was a second-half substitute as Huddersfield Town bounced back from last weekend’s loss to Newcastle United with a 1-0 home victory over Aston Villa in the Sky Bet Championship yesterday.

Wells, who conceded an early penalty in the 3-1 loss to Newcastle, was dropped to the bench but came on in the 68th minute, just a minute before Tommy Smith broke the deadlock from a corner.

David Wagner, the Huddersfield head coach, said: “We never stepped back against a good Aston Villa team.

“We stayed in their faces and tried everything.

“This was a big statement from the players that can play another style. We had the right working and fighting attitude.”

The win, combined with a 0-0 draw by leaders Newcastle away to play-off hopefuls Reading, enabled Huddersfield to move nine points behind the leaders and with a game in hand.

Brighton & Hove Albion also capitalised on the slip-up, winning 2-0 away to bottom team Rotherham United to move to within five points of the top spot.

Newcastle have 77 points from 36 games, Brighton 74 from 36 and Huddersfield 68 from 35.

On Saturday, Huddersfield are away to Brentford while Newcastle host Fulham. Brighton play Derby County on Friday.

n Bermudian Rai Simons was an unused substitute as Chesterfield’s relegation worries deepened with a 1-0 loss away to Walsall yesterday. Chesterfield are second from bottom in League One.