Aston Villa v Cardiff City. Match preview

Last updated : 26 November 2016 By Michael Morris

Forwards Ross McCormack and Gabriel Agbonlahor are doubtful for Aston Villa's Championship clash with Cardiff with ankle knocks.

Jack Grealish could start after an impressive showing as a substitute at Brighton.

Tommy Elphick and Mile Jedinak will hope to avoid a fifth yellow card of the season which would result in an automatic one-match ban.

Micah Richards remains out with a calf problem and Ritchie de Laet is out for the season with a knee injury. 

Cardiff defender Joe Bennett is set to take on his former club for the first time.

Bennett left Villa Park in August and has established himself at left-back in recent weeks after missing the start of the season through injury.

Cardiff have been hit by a sickness bug this week but Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock hopes to name the same side which beat Huddersfield 3-2.

Wales defender Jazz Richards, who has yet to play under Warnock, remains out with a foot injury.

 

Match facts

  • Villa have won 10 of their last 12 home league meetings with Cardiff City, who have not won in Birmingham B6 since December 1954.
  • Cardiff have failed to register a league goal at Villa Park in any of their last four trips there, having last scored in February 1970, in a 1-1 draw.
  • Villa are the only unbeaten side at home in the Championship, although they have only won three of their eight games at Villa Park.
  • Neil Warnock has not won any of his previous six league games against Villa, with four different teams.
  • Villa have drawn more games this season (10 in 17 games) than any other side in the top four tiers.
  • Cardiff's only clean sheet this season came on the opening day, also in Birmingham, across the city at St Andrew's.

 

Match officials     

Referee: GEOFF ELTRINGHAM 
Assistants: James Mainwaring and Nick Greenhalgh 
Fourth Official: Richard Clark