http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/positive-signs-neil-warnock-bluebirds-12235227It was a case of the better quality winning the day at Villa Park, as Albert Adomah, Jonathan Kodjia and Rudy Gestede scored to condemn Cardiff City to a 3-1 defeat in the West Midlands.
There were moments of promise for the Bluebirds. Rickie Lambert levelled in the first half and there were numerous chances for Cardiff to get back in the game.
But a red card for Lee Pelter and Rudy Gestede's late penalty meant Cardiff were ultimately overwhelmed by an impressive Aston Villa side.
Steve Bruce's men are now seven games unbeaten under their new boss.
Cardiff started the game on top and should have been ahead when Junior Hoilett's diving header from close range flew over the bar. It had been a textbook move, a Gunnarsson long-throw headed on at the near post by Sean Morrison.
Villa were able to find some composure with their front three increasingly influential, and they were ahead when Jordan Amavi found it far too easy to roam downfield from the left. Escaping Pilkington and Morrison, his ball to the back post was converted easily by Albert Adomah.
The Bluebirds roared back, stealing the ball close to the Villa goal. Hoilett slid in Rickie Lambert whose finish was precise. The defensive gremlins, returned, however, as they failed to clear their lines and a Jonathan Kodjia header sent the hosts into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Cardiff were the better side in the opening stages after the interval, harrying their opponents and forcing a succession of mistakes in possession. Sean Morrison headed over from a Peter Whittingham free-kick as they applied some real pressure.
But Peltier's dismissal and Gestede's late spot-kick took the gloss off the afternoon.
Just as they had done at Newcastle United, Cardiff responded to adversity at the break with a showing of real fire, commitment and no little speed.
They were by far the better of the teams and will consider themselves unlucky not to have taken back to South Wales with them.
However, they can have no complaints after conceding two more very sloppy goals. They missed at least three opportunities to snuff out the danger for the first as Jordan Amavi glided goalwards, while Kodjia found it far too easy to climb high and head home the second.
Bamba and Morrison have kept along list of in form and much hyped strikers at bay since Warnock's arrival but the signs were clear that the Ivorian would be a different proposition, racing in behind during the opening exchanges.
They actually marshalled him well thereafter but Morrison in particular was caught static for the second.
The signs are good on the whole but until they sharpen up at the back they will not pull away.
Have there even been two finer beards in such close proximity?
Mile Jedinak and Aron Gunnarsson push each other close in that category but more importantly, they are also two of the most tenacious defensive midfielders at this level.
Jedinak was good and disciplined, but Gunnarsson showed another dimension to his game as Peter Whittingham moved out to the left and Cardiff had only two in the middle of the park.
Jedinak kept it simple and looked to lay it off to the glittering attackers in his side, whereas Gunnarsson had to go up another gear and bomb forward whenever possible. He was everywhere.
Villa's slogan these days is 'fight like lions'. They could learn a trick or two from the Iceman in that department, who bounced off Jack Grealish with embarrassing ease at times.
In the end, Cardiff were undone by the pace and movement of Aston Villa's excellent front three.
Yet praise should be given to the Bluebirds for coming to one of Britain's most famous grounds, up against a side bang in form, and really trying to play some good stuff.
Their first chance, inevitably came from Sean Morrison flicking on a long-throw into the six-yard box, but with Junior Hoilett staying up front, they stuck with a 4-4-2 and really went for it.
The midfield covered an immense amount of ground and they put some good moves together with the ball on the deck as well as in the air. Hoilett was subject to some pretty rough treatment from the Villa defence who clearly watched his Huddersfield masterclass very closely over the last week.
Nevetheless, there are signs that confidence and fluidity are improving all over the pitch, and good partnerships are improving the speed of the Bluebirds' tackling.
'If I play games I'm confident I'll score goals, I think my record shows that'.
So said Rickie Lambert on his arrival in South Wales and he took his Bluebirds tally to four he is beginning to make good on that promise.
His Cardiff career has been a slow burner, battling through injury and fitness issues despite having to carry the team's cumbersome attacking on his shoulders.
Here he was at by far his sharpest and that finish was of the highest quality, absolutely nerveless under the pressure. He isn't the quickest, agonisingly short of Junior Hoilett's brilliant cross across the face of goal. Yet he chased and chased elsewhere and there can't be any doubts that he is rapidly improving. Was probably unlucky to be substituted.
What a feeling it must have been for the Bluebirds to come out of the tunnel and see the sea of fans directly opposite them.
Whispers that a 2,500 strong following had travelled were quickly proven correct and they made an almighty din. What a moment it was when Rickie Lambert pulled them level for a brief moment. There were limbs everywhere, a guttural roar and the customary strains of 'Don't take me home'.
It helped create a memorable occasion and a proper football atmosphere that crackled as the game played out. Hopefully it will convince many to get on the road again because it was a genuinely awesome sight and one of the reasons why Warnock came here despite the league position.
