Neil Warnock’s Cardiff City welcome Aston Villa to the Cardiff City Stadium looking to pick up just their second win in seven games. The Bluebirds have struggled in recent weeks and it’s seen them drop to within just three points of the relegation zone. Visitors Aston Villa are eleven points better off than Cardiff and Steve Bruce’s men have been in good form of late. The Villans have been beaten just twice in their last thirteen games and they’ll come into this clash confident that they can get all three points.
The Villans needed a win against Leeds United in the midweek to get closer to a playoff place but could only manage a 1-1 draw. Jonathan Kodija’s late strike from the spot helped the Villans get one vital point against the Whites but the fans will be gutted with the fact that despite their resurrection, they are not managing to get into top six.
Cardiff City started their season on quite a good note but their recent run of form has been dismal. Neil Warnock’s side have won just one of their last six games and are now placed 20th in the table. Everybody expected a bid for a playoff spot from Cardiff this campaign but they are much closer to relegation than promotion. This is a crucial game for both sides but for much different reasons and we have to wait and see how the game progresses.
The two teams have played 34 matches against each other in all the competitions. Cardiff have registered 13 wins, 4 draws and 17 defeats. Aston Villa have scored 47 goals against Cardiff and conceded 37. The reverse fixture ended in a 3-1 win for the Midlands side. Aston Villa clearly have the statistical advantage ahead of the game but it hardly matters that much.
Team news
Cardiff City
The home side are missing the services of Lee Peltier and Ashley Darel Jazz Richar. The latter is closing on a return to training, though.
Aston Villa
Villa keeper Jed Steer is out for the rest of the season. Ritchie De Laet is also in a similar condition. Micah Richards could out until early February while youngster Jack Grealish is also out with a minor injury.
Predicted lineups
Cardiff City (3-5-2): Murphy; Morrison, Connolly, Manga; Noone, Ralls, Whittingham, Gunnarsson, Bennett; Hoilett, Zohore
Aston Villa (4-4-2): Bunn; Hutton, Baker, Chester, Amavi; Adomah, Jedinak, Gardner, Bacuna; Ayew, Kodija
Odds
Cardiff City to win @5/1
Draw @4/1
Aston Villa to win @1/3
