SWANSEA, Wales - Gylfi Sigurdsson curled in a brilliant free kick to earn Swansea a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Friday for back-to-back wins in the Premier League.

The Iceland midfielder has been a revelation since returning for a second spell at the Welsh club and he proved the difference again, beating the outstretched hand of Villa's American goalkeeper Brad Guzan to score in the top-right corner in the 13th minute.

After starting strongly, Swansea struggled following the loss to injury of winger Jefferson Montero and Villa created lots of chances in the second half, with Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor denied by late saves from Lukasz Fabianski.

Coming after a 1-0 win at Hull on Saturday, Swansea stayed within four points of fourth-place Southampton in the race for the European places.