ANALYSIS: Déjà vu as Millers succumb to quality

For the hard-bitten New York Stadium regulars, the one consolation from the 26th league defeat of the season is that Saturday's clash with Aston Villa was closer than it had any right to be.

Villa might be a group of expensive and talented individuals still lacking the cohesion and rhythm to trouble the Championship's top six, but it was still the Millers' misfortune to bump into them just as they are starting to get their act together.

While Steve Bruce's men were made to work hard for their third straight win, the deal not being sealed until three minutes from time, there was still an inevitability about it all.

REACTION: Casualties add to Warne's problems

The gap to safety is now so big that some might have stopped counting, pride and reputations mattering just as much now as league points.

No-one, least of all Paul Warne, could accuse the players of leaving anything out on the pitch. He had a go, starting with two attackers, and even when an early injury to Stephen Kelly and then the withdrawal of Danny Ward and Jon Taylor necessitated some running repairs, the team adjusted quite well and had Villa under the cosh for a spell late on.

The fans were well entertained and appreciative. Their team is going down with a fight, if not much to show for all their sweat and toil.

In truth, Villa could and should have been out of sight by half time.

Desperate defence thwarted Birk Bjarnason, Lewis Price did well to deny Albert Adomah and Conor Hourihane, and Aimen Belaid's acrobatic goalline clearance foiled Adomah again.

Mile Jedinak mopped up everything in front of Villa's back four and when Rotherham did briefly threaten through Tom Adeyemi's header, striker Jonathan Kodjia popped up on the goalline to clear.

Fit again skipper Lee Frecklington joined the fray in the second half and Will Vaulks filled in well for Kelly, typifying the spirit and tenacity in the home ranks.

He was unlucky to be responsible for Villa's 68th minute breakthrough, Adomah's cross teasing the under pressure defender to turn the ball into his own net.

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A poor finish from Hourihane and a fine tip-over by Price left the door ajar to a comeback and Rotherham nearly capitalised in a window of pressure when Anthony Forde's drive demanded a good save from Sam Johnstone.

The extra craft, skill and pace in Villa's ranks showed in the counter-attack that led to their match-killing second goal, thrashed in by Kodjia.

“Quality did tell in the end," acknowledged Warne. "I’d love to send the fans home happy with a win but the lads have given me everything they’ve got. What more can I ask?"