Bring on the Villa: Huddersfield Town aiming to deliver an immediate response to defeat to Newcastle United

Watched by a record league crowd of 23,213 at the John Smith’s Stadium, third-placed Town passed up the chance of moving within three points of second-placed Brighton and five behind the Magpies.

It ensured that Town sampled a league defeat for the first time in eight matches since January 12 – with David Wagner’s side also suffering their first Championship home loss in nine games.

Weekend elements conspired against the hosts, with a controversial early penalty – converted by Matt Ritchie – and a dubious second goal scored by Daryl Murphy affording the Magpies two moments of fortune en route to recording a club record-equalling 13th away league win in a season.

But Smith remains effused by another positive performance from Town, with the only ingredient lacking on the night being an element of luck.

The full-back is urging Town to carry on where they left off against Aston Villa tomorrow evening as they bid to go on another resounding and potentially season-defining run.

Smith said: “We are a more- than capable squad and we have shown what we have done before and will definitely look to do it again.

“We have been doing okay and were seven unbeaten in the league (before Newcastle) and will look to try and string together some more back-to-back wins, starting on Tuesday.

“We are not too fussed about other teams’ results. We are concentrating on ourselves and if we get the results we want, I am sure we will be okay and get to where we want to be.

“It is a great feeling winning football matches and you are on a massive high. On the opposite end of the scale, you lose full points and are on a big low.

“So to get back on the pitch on Tuesday in front of our home crowd again is something we need and want and are looking forward to.

“We have been seven games unbeaten and Newcastle was always going to be a tough ask.

“The result went against us, but the performance was there and we will take it into Tuesday and hope to get a better result.”

Head coach David Wagner, who will be back on the touchline tomorrow night after serving a two-match ban, concurred and stressed that Town can take succour from their display against Newcastle, even if they were afforded little luck.

He is also glad that his side have a short turnaround as they bid to get back to winning ways against Steve Bruce’s Villa, who triumphed 2-0 at Rotherham United on Saturday.

Wagner, whose medical staff are assessing the fitness of goalkeeper Danny Ward and midfielder Phillip Billing after both went off injured at the weekend, said: “We are all together and happy to play game after game and you like to play more after a defeat, of course. We respect the schedule and will make sure we are as fresh as we can be.

“There is no reason to be down, we produced against the best team in this division. But too many details went against us and a few of them we were unable to influence. If the referee decides it is a penalty or it is not a foul and we are 2-0 down, we have to accept it.

“We have to make right what we can influence. The dressing room is full of smart and intelligent players and they know they tried everything and they knew that it was very unlucky (on Saturday). We put it behind us and go forward to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

“The players know this is a very good team.”

Elsewhere, mid-table Barnsley are 11 points adrift of the play-off positions after a 2-1 loss at Derby County.

League One leaders Sheffield United saw their advantage cut to five points after being pegged back 3-3 in a see-saw encounter at Rochdale.

Fifth-placed Bradford City ended their run of four successive home league draws in a key 1-0 home victory over play-off aspirants Peterborough United.

League Two front-runners Doncaster Rovers drew 0-0 at Crawley, with second-placed Plymouth Argyle moving to within four points.

Match reports: Pages 2-5