Birmingham City tasted their first defeat under new manager John Eustace at the Cardiff City Stadium – and it was an Aston Villa player who delivered the killer blow.
Jaden Philogene, loaned from the Blues’ bitter rivals a fortnight ago, struck in the 17th minute to secure three points his Cardiff side emphatically deserved.
If anything, the final score flattered the visitors who, apart from a purple patch early in the second half, never looked like leaving the Welsh capital with their unbeaten run intact after three league outings.
MATCH FACTS
CARDIFF CITY: Allsop, Romeo, Collins, Kipre, Ng, Wintle ©, Sawyers (Colwill 63), Rinomhota, O’Dowda (Ojo 82), Philogene (Etete 63) Watters (M Harris 45)
GOALS: Philogene-Bidace
BOOKED: Trusty, Colin, James, Hogan and Ojo
BIRMINGHAM CITY: Ruddy, Colin, Roberts (Williams 55), Trusty, Bacuna (Leko 76), Deeney © (Jutkiewicz 71), Hogan, Placheta, James, Sanderson, Chang (Hall 76).