Colin Calderwood: Aston Villa will improve for play-offs

Shaun Williams’s first-half penalty was enough to condemn a much-changed Villa team to defeat at The Den, with visiting keeper Mark Bunn making a fine double-save to deny the hosts a second from the spot late on.

Villa now face Middlesbrough over a two-legged play-off semi-final and Calderwood, unsurprisingly, expects a better display.

“I don’t think we played as well as we wanted to,” said the assistant boss. “Certainly once the first penalty was awarded and we went behind.

“We need to play at a different level next game. We will certainly have to be more towards our A game than we were today. And we will be.”

Villa went behind after Henri Lansbury was penalised for a push on Ryan Tunnicliffe and Williams converted from the spot.

Bunn, making his first Championship start of the season, kept the deficit at one when he saved from Lee Gregory and then kept out Williams’s follow-up, after James Chester was penalised for handball.

“The first was probably a penalty so you have to accept that,” said Calderwood. “The second one, my first impression, was highly dubious.”

Calderwood again took press duties on behalf of manager Steve Bruce, who was back in the dugout barely 48 hours on from the death of his mother, Sheenagh.

“I think he would rather I did these occasions but he will be under the spotlight next week,” said Calderwood.

“He has had a real tough time from January onwards. We have given him the help we can.

“Everyone knows he is the leader. We will get through these few days and help him as best we can. Sometimes, coming to work brings a moment of relief.”