Adam Le Fondre's first-half goal was enough to earn Bolton a vital Sky Bet Championship win to boost their survival hopes while denting Aston Villa's automatic promotion ambitions.
Striker Le Fondre scored after 19 minutes at a snowy Macron Stadium as Steve Bruce's side slipped to a second successive defeat.
The visitors had plenty of possession but Lewis Grabban and substitute Scott Hogan wasted great opportunities to secure at least a point.
Bolton kicked off knowing a point would be enough to lift them one place up the table.
The unexpected win took the Trotters above Reading and into 19th place and also means Phil Parkinson's side are six points ahead of third-bottom Birmingham, whose earlier win over Hull put extra pressure on Bolton.
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