Aston Villa will be looking to continue their unbeaten run when they host Welsh side Cardiff City at Villa Park on Saturday. The Villans have turned around a corner following the appointment of manager Steve Bruce and are currently unbeaten in their last six games under their new boss. The Midlands club started the season horrendously under Roberto Di Matteo but after parting ways with the Champions League-winning Italian manager, they have never had to look back.
Aston Villa are still 16th in the table and will be looking to keep up their rise in the Championship table. They are just five points off the sixth place which should be their prime target this campaign. They registered a respectable 1-1 draw at second-placed Brighton last weekend. Cardiff City have struggled this season to get the results and find themselves near the relegation zone. However, their performances have also significantly improved under their new manager Neil Warnock.
The last time these two sides locked horns, was in the Premier League back in the 2013-14 Premier League season, and the Villans registered a 2-0 win in the corresponding fixture. Here is the predicted Aston Villa lineup against Cardiff City.
Defence
Promising young keeper Pierluigi Gollini is likely to start under the bar. Bruce has tested different centre-back partnerships since taking over at Villa Park and the duo of Nathan Baker and James Chester has worked the best for the Midlands side. Alan Hutton and Jordan Amavi are likely to start in the two full-back positions. Aston Villa surely have a strong depth in their squad in defence which is evident when we see the likes of Leandro Bacuna, Aly Cissokho and Tommy Elphick languishing on the bench.
Midfield
Mile Jedinak is clearly an influential member of the side with what the steel he brings to midfield. The Aussie’s defensive discipline and decent passing ability make him a key player at Villa Park. Young Gary Gardner is likely to partner the Aussie in midfield. Wonderkid Jack Grealish is likely to be deployed in the number ten role.
Attack
Jonathan Kodija is enjoying a pretty good run of form this season and should keep his place on the left flank. Ross McCormack missed the last game with a yellow-card suspension and he should make his way back to the starting XI against Cardiff City. Albert Adomah is likely to start on the right flank and will be looking to keep impressing.
