Cardiff boss Neil Warnock says mistakes cost his side at Villa Park

Neil Warnock (R) and Steve Bruce share a joke before kick off at Villa Park, but it was the Aston Villa manager who was left smiling at the end of the Championship encounter

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock said mistakes led to his side losing 3-1 in the Championship at Aston Villa.

Goals from Albert Adomah and Jonathan Kodija and a late penalty from former Bluebird Rudy Gestede proved enough for Steve Bruce's side.

Ricky Lambert had equalised for the Bluebirds who had Lee Peltier sent off for two bookings late on.

"It was mistakes that cost us," said Warnock, who saw his side slip back into the Championship relegation zone.

"I don't care what level you are, we made mistakes and we got punished for them. You get punished by good players.

"I did not think there was much in it. We were always in the game. One or two things didn't go for us, but at the end of the day it's mistakes."

Cardiff fail to clear as Aston Villa open the scoring at Villa Park

Warnock again underlined his desire to add new faces to his Cardiff squad when the transfer window opens in January.

"It's disappointing, but it's good to see where we are," the Cardiff boss told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

"I was quite pleased to be honest, looking from the outside. I just thought, one or two players in certain areas and we can cause them a problem.

"The players are doing as well as they can. I've no grouse about commitment, we just need a bit more quality.

"You can see with (Sol) Bamba and (Junior) Hoilett we brought better players into the squad and we need to do that again in January."

But Warnock was critical of Villa's Jack Grealish after Peltier saw red late on after picking up a second booking for a foul on the Villa midfielder.

"I'm disappointed in Jack today if I'm honest," Warnock added.

" I don't think he needs to go up to the referee and tell him how many tackles he's had to try to get people booked. He does not need to do that, he's a good player."