Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Aston Villa's Henri Lansbury and John Terry celebrate after the match Action Images/Andrew Couldridge
LONDON (Reuters) - Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers' promotion charge was halted as Midlands rivals Aston Villa handed out a 4-1 thrashing at a spirited Villa Park on Saturday.
Albert Adomah put Villa in front after seven minutes after a goalmouth scramble but the lead lasted only 12 minutes as Diogo Jota levelled for Wolves from Matt Doherty's cross.
James Chester restored Villa's lead when he prodded in a Robert Snodgrass free kick and Lewis Grabban made it 3-1 five minutes later with another close-range effort.
Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Aston Villa's John Terry celebrates after the match Action Images/Andrew Couldridge
When Icelandic midfielder Birkir Bjarnason toe-poked a shot past Wolves keeper John Ruddy in the 84th minute, the Villa fans could celebrate a victory that pushes them closer to the automatic promotion places.
They are now four points behind Cardiff City, who beat struggling Birmingham City 3-2 and seven behind Wolves.
Fourth-placed Fulham's fine run of form continued as they beat Preston North End 2-1 away thanks to a stoppage time winner from Aleksandar Mitrovic. Fulham are now unbeaten in 15 games.
Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers' Diogo Jota celebrates with Matthew Doherty after scoring their first goal as Aston Villa's James Chester looks dejected Action Images/Andrew Couldridge
Derby County and Middlesbrough make up the playoff spots in fifth and sixth respectively.
Middlesbrough beat Barnsley 3-1 while Derby, who also have 61 points, face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Bottom club Sunderland lost 1-0 at Queens Park Rangers and are four points behind fourth-from-bottom Barnsley.
Soccer Football - Championship - Sunderland vs Aston Villa - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - March 6, 2018 Aston Villa's James Chester celebrates after he scores his sides second goal Action Images/Craig Brough
Hull City eased their relegation fears as they hit back from 3-1 down to beat Norwich City 4-3 -- Abel Hernandez netting two penalties before Harry Wilson's winner.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper John Ruddy looks on as Aston Villa's Albert Adomah scores their first goal Action Images/Andrew Couldridge Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Aston Villa's Lewis Grabban celebrates scoring their third goal Action Images/Andrew Couldridge Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper John Ruddy looks dejected after Aston Villa's third goal Action Images/Andrew Couldridge Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Aston Villa goalkeeper Sam Johnstone saves a shot from Wolverhampton Wanderers' Helder Costa Action Images/Andrew Couldridge Soccer Football - Championship - Aston Villa vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - March 10, 2018 Aston Villa's Albert Adomah in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Matt Doherty Action Images/Andrew Couldridge
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