WANDERERS produced a perfect performance against Aston Villa to restore a six-point gap on the bottom three in the Championship.

Adam Le Fondre scored the goal - but how did the players rate on a snowy night at the Macron?

Chief football writer Marc Iles gives his view.

The Bolton News:

WANDERERS (4-2-3-1)

BEN ALNWICK…8.5 A quite brilliant save from Bree in the dying moments – Alnwick is playing some top drawer football at the moment. Has been a huge part of the survival bid.

JON FLANAGAN…8 Another assured and professional display from the Liverpool loanee. His clearance off the line in the second half from Scott Hogan defied logic.

REECE BURKE…7.5 Maturing well alongside Mark Beevers in the centre of defence, the West Ham youngster is unflappable on the ball and his distribution helped settle the game.

MARK BEEVERS…8 Saving his best performances for last this season. Wanderers’ recent improvement has been built from the back – with Beevers as a central pillar.

ANDY TAYLOR…7.5 Digs in so well to protect his penalty box and offers the same sort of calm assuredness as Flanagan on the opposite flank. Great professional.

KARL HENRY…8 Villa’s fans probably wouldn’t agree, having groaned at his every challenge, but this was Henry at the top of his game, snarling, snapping and organising.

DERIK OSEDE…8 Dismissing doubts on a weekly basis at the moment – Derik’s screening job on the back four left Villa’s talented midfield with nowhere to go.

WILL BUCKLEY…8 This is the Will Buckley we were looking forward to seeing when he arrived last summer. Been a tough year for him so far – but capable of carrying the ball so well.

DARREN PRATLEY…7 After a clever flick to create the first goal it was upsetting to see the captain hobble off with a shin injury. Fingers-crossed there is nothing seriously wrong.

SAMMY AMEOBI…7.5 Steve Bruce said it wasn’t a day for wingers – but Ameobi managed just fine. Close control gave fans something to applaud and keep their hands warm.

ADAM LE FONDRE…8.5 Described himself as a “pest” and John Terry might share his view. In the right place to score the goal, should maybe have had another, but ran himself to a standstill.

Subs: Vela 7, 27 (for Pratley) – Showed his worth, never letting Villa settle

Robinson 81 (for Buckley) – Did well to run the clock down for Wanderers

Not used: Howard, Noone, Wilbraham, Wheater, Clough

The Bolton News:

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Johnstone; Elmohamady, Terry, Chester, Taylor; Snodgrass, Bjarnasson, Hourihane, Adomah; Grealish; Hogan.

Subs: Hepburn-Murphy 53 (for Hourihane), Hogan 72 (for Adomah), Davis 82 (for Snodgrass)

Not used: Bunn, Lansbury, Jedinak, Onomah.

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside) 7

Attendance: 19,304

Atmosphere: 8

Entertainment: 7