Conor Hourihane scores a bloody screamer as Aston Villa beat Birmingham to go second in the Championship

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It was another immensely satisfying afternoon for Aston Villa on Sunday as they beat rivals Birmingham City 2-0 in the Second City Derby to climb to second in the Championship table. It was Villa's seventh league win in a row, enough to see Steve Bruce's men leapfrog Derby County in the table on 59 points, 12 behind pacesetters Wolves. Albert Adomah fired Villa in front after 60 minutes but it was Republic of Ireland midfielder Conor Hourihane's strike which really capped a fine day for the home side at Villa Park. After a poor headed clearance from a Birmingham defender, Hourihane controlled the ball with his chest before unleashing a wonderful, looping effort over the keeper and into the far corner. https://twitter.com/Danny70615/status/962683704975024129 The strike was Hourihane's eighth of the season. With form like that, he is likely to be pushing for a starting place in Ireland's upcoming games. Martin O'Neill could use a goalscoring threat from midfield. Villa's next game is away to Fulham next Saturday.