Robert Snodgrass hails team spirit as Aston Villa continue to climb the Championship

Tuesday’s thumping 4-0 victory at Burton was their Villa’s third win on the spin and lifted Steve Bruce’s men to within striking distance of the top six, ahead of Saturday’s home game with bottom of the table Bolton.

Winger Snodgrass, who joined on a season-long loan from West Ham last month, believes hard work and a growing sense of togetherness has been key to overcoming a sluggish start to the campaign.

“I think the level of performance has gone up, there is a steeliness about us now,” he said.

“We don’t want to concede goals and we’re putting the ball in the back of the net at the other end.

“It’s a team game. You don’t get anywhere as individuals.

“You need to work hard for your team-mate. You need a different mentality to play in the Championship. You need to stay in the game, be hard to beat and all those things are happening.

“It’s a base, a platform, and three on the bounce. It’s set us up for a lot of confidence going into the Bolton game.”

Snodgrass netted for the first time since joining Villa in the victory at Burton. It was the Scot’s first goal since January, while he also set-up Albert Adomah as Bruce’s men ran riot at the Pirelli Stadium.

“When the ball hits the back of the net it’s almost a sense of relief,” he said.

“I’ll be honest, it’s taken me three or four games to get going. That’s normal having not had 90 minutes throughout pre-season or anything like that.

“I’ve not had any assists or goals before the Burton game but then I chip in with one of each.

“The most important thing for me is getting the three points. Genuinely, the team comes first.

“I want to be winning every week and approaching the next game with the mentality that we’re going into a battle with our group of lads and that we will emerge victorious.

“That’s what it’s all about for me.

“Once we do that we will start to get the momentum and the success and the rewards that we deserve.”