' MATCH THREAD: ASTON VILLA v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

ASTON VILLA V CARDIFF CITY
Championship
Saturday, 26 November, 15:00
Villa Park


Cardiff unchanged

Cardiff City team: Amos, Bennett, Bamba, Morrison, Peltier, Whittingham, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Pilkington, Hoilett, Lambert.

Subs| Wilson, Richardson, Noone, Harris, O'Keefe, Connolly & Gounongbe.




CARDIFF CITY HAVE SOLD 2,400 TICKETS

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.



Aston Villa have doubts over forwards Ross McCormack and Gabriel Agbonlahor for the visit of Cardiff City.




" UPDATED DAILY "

25/11/16

Sickness bug in camp

Neil Warnock: "Jazz Richards is still out, we’ve got a bit of a sickness bug with a couple but I’m optimistic with them. You just get that at this time of year."

"We need a performance, they’re flying since Steve went there, as good as anyone in the league at the moment. We’ve done well away from home, so we should be able to give them a good game."

24/11/16

Team News

Jazz Richards remains a doubt with a foot injury, although he is back in light training.
There are no other major concerns and Neil Warnock is expected to select a starting XI similar to the one which defeated Huddersfield last weekend.




23/11/16

Not many Villa tickets left down below the last 100 now. around 2400 mark sold

Warnock's squad has No serious injuries and has a strong squad to pick from


Latest News


We were given 1650 first allocation then a further 800. with just over 500 tickets left. No Restrictions for City fans


Possible Lineups

Cardiff City

21 Amos
2 Peltier
4 Morrison
14 Bamba
13 Pilkington
8 Ralls
17 Gunnarsson
7 Whittingham
3 Bennett
33 Hoilett
19 Lambert


Aston Villa

1 Gollini
21 Hutton
12 Chester
2 Baker
23 Amavi
15 Westwood
25 Jedinak
22 Gardner
37 Adomah
11 Agbonlahor
26 Kodjia


The Opposition



Aston Villa

Full name: Aston Villa Football Club
Nicknames: Villans, The Villa, The Lions, The Claret & Blue Army
Short name: Villa, AVFC
Founded: 21 November 1874; 141 years ago
Ground: Villa Park
Capacity: 42,660
Owner: Recon Sports Limited
Chairman: Tony Xia
Manager: Steve Bruce
League: Championship

Aston Villa Football Club is a professional association football club based in Aston, Birmingham, that plays in the Championship, the second level of English football. Founded in 1874, they have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were the originators and founding members of the Football League in 1888. They were also founding members of the Premier League in 1992.

Aston Villa are one of only five English clubs to be crowned champions of Europe, having won the 1981–82 European Cup. They have also won the First Division Championship seven times, the FA Cup seven times, the Football League Cup five times, and the UEFA Super Cup once.

They have a fierce local rivalry with Birmingham City and the Second City derby between the sides has been played since 1879. The club's traditional kit colours are claret shirts with sky blue sleeves, white shorts and sky blue socks. Their traditional badge is of a rampant lion, which was introduced by the club's Scottish chairman William McGregor in honour of the Royal Standard of Scotland.

The club is currently owned by Recon Group Limited, a company chaired by Chinese businessman Tony Xia, and is managed by Steve Bruce.


2016/17 Results

Cardiff

SAT 19 NOV 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff 3 - 2 Huddersfield
SAT 5 NOV 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Newcastle 2 - 1 Cardiff
SAT 29 OCT 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff 0 - 1 Wigan
SAT 22 OCT 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP N Forest 1 - 2 Cardiff


Aston Villa

FRI 18 NOV 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Brighton & Hove Albion 1 - 1 Aston Villa
SAT 5 NOV 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Aston Villa 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
SUN 30 OCT 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Birmingham City 1 - 1 Aston Villa
SAT 22 OCT 2016 - CHAMPIONSHIP Aston Villa 1 - 0 Fulham


Recent meetings

2013/2014 Tue 11 Feb Cardiff City 0 - 0 Aston Villa League
2013/2014 Sat 09 Nov Aston Villa 2 - 0 Cardiff City League
2009/2010 Wed 23 Sep Aston Villa 1 - 0 Cardiff City League Cup
1974/1975 Wed 09 Apr Aston Villa 2 - 0 Cardiff City League
1974/1975 Sat 28 Dec Cardiff City 3 - 1 Aston Villa League

Previous Highlights




Villa Park



Key facts

Club: Aston Villa FC
Opening: 1897
Capacity: 42,785 seats

History and description

In the late 19th century, Villa Park was part of a pleasure ground that consisted of a football and cricket pitch, athletics track, and a small grandstand. Aston Villa at that time still played their home matches at the Perry Barr ground, but in 1897 moved to the superior Villa Park.

Before they moved in, they had already built a new main stand and accompanied this with open terracing on the remaining sides. The stadium was bowl-shaped back then, and could hold about 40,000 people.

Aston Villa opened their new ground on the 17th of April 1897 with a friendly match against Blackburn Rovers (3-0).

In the next two decades Villa Park got gradually expanded, and in 1913 lost its bowl shape when the cycling track got removed. Plans were made to expand the stadium to a capacity of 130,000, but the First World War brought these to a halt.

Works continued after the war though, and were concluded in 1923 when the new Trinity Road Stand opened. At that time the stadium could hold about 80,000 people.

Villa Park recorded its highest attendance in 1946 when 76,588 people attended a match against Derby County.

In the next decades only smaller changes were made, which included cover for the Holte End and a refurbishment of the Witton Lane Stand in 1964.

Villa Park was one of the playing venues of the 1966 World Cup, hosting three group matches.

The stadium underwent a next change in 1976 when a new North Stand opened in place of the Witton Lane End. The new stand led to heavy debts though, and no further changes were made until the 1990s.

In 1993 the new Doug Ellis Stand opened, followed by the demolition and reconstruction of the Holte End. The transformation of the stadium into an all-seater was completed when the North Stand got fitted with seats.

Villa Park hosted three group matches and a quarter-final during the 1996 European Championships.

In 1999, it hosted the last ever European Cup Winners’ Cup final between Real Mallorca and Lazio Roma (1-2).

In 2000, the classic Trinity Road stand from the 1920s got demolished and replaced by a new stand. In recent years tentative plans have been made to expand the stadium to a capacity of 50,000 by rebuilding the North Stand, but its is unlikely that these will be executed any time soon.


Match Odds

Aston Villa 10/11
Cardiff 4/1
Draw 11/4


Tickets

Sat. 26th November 2016. KO. 3pm

Tickets available to current Season Ticket Holders and Gold / Junior Bluebird Members.

General Ticket Prices
Adults: £30.00
Concession*: £20.00
Under 18: £17.00
Under 8: £10.00

Disabled Allocations
Adults: £25.00
Concession*: £20.00
Under 18: £17.00
Under 8: £10.00
Carer: Free of Charge

*Concessions - Over 65, Under 21, Full Time Students, and Members of the Armed Forces.


Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCS Ticket Office situated in the Grandstand, next to Corporate Entrance 2.

Alternatively, you can call the Stadium Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400. The Ticket Office is open from 9am to 5:30pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on non match-day Saturdays.

The easiest way is to book online - http://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity


Guess the Score / Attendance
Post your predicted score/attendance below

Villa 2 City 2

City will Def sell their allocation out,its our biggest away game of the season and every club visiting there sells out

1-1

Steve Bruce rejuvenation I feel 2-0 villa unfortunately

Still plenty of tickets left for Cardiff City Fans

Aston Villa 2-1 Cardiff

23/11/16

Warnock's squad has No serious injuries and has a strong squad to pick from

3-0 Villa

Villa have had a poor start to the season, but is it all coming together ahead of Cardiff's trip?

By Phil Smith

23/11/16

"Steve Bruce has instilled a great deal of confidence into the Villa players since taking over last month and the fans are feeding off that. Most Villa fans are realistic enough to know that automatic promotion is a long shot, but they are beginning to think that the play-off are a distinct possibility.

"Bruce is getting the best out of key players. Mile Jedinak has been fantastic recently and one of the contributing factors has been Bruce's decision to build the midfield around him.

"I've spoken to plenty of people who think that Villa and Newcastle have by far the two best squads in the Championship. Not hitting the ground running could ultimately cost Villa automatic promotion, but they will be favourites in pretty much every game they play between now and the end of the season. That works both ways, of course. Villa are a scalp at this level and we have seen teams come to Villa Park and try and frustrate them."

So who is bringing home the bacon at the moment?

By Phil Smith

23/11/16

"The problem they both face is that Jonathan Kodjia is in their way, while Gabriel Agbonlahor is back in favour under Bruce.

"Kodjia has been brilliant since Bruce took charge in October and has scored five in the six matches. He has looked unplayable at times and seems worth every penny (£11 million rising to £15 million) that Villa spent on him. Jedinak has been outstanding recently and plays a pivotal role in midfield, something which is recognised by his teammates and supporters.

"And a man that will be known to Cardiff City fans for his exploits with Wales over the summer, James Chester, has been arguably Villa's most consistent performer this campaign. He is captaining the side at present with Tommy Elphick on the bench."

' TWO EX CARDIFF STRIKERS FAILING/BUT WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM '


Why two Cardiff City heroes can't get in the Aston Villa FC team


What Cardiff City would give to have one of Ross McCormack or Rudy Gestede in their ranks.

By Phil Smith

Wednesday 23rd November 2016

Both are fondly remembered by the Bluebirds' faithful, part of a pair of attacking sides that often frustrated but frequently enthralled.

For many Cardiff fans, the side McCormack played in, also featuring Michael Chopra and Jay Bothroyd, was one of the most dynamic in recent memory.

It says much about the work ahead for Neil Warnock that he will have to overcome sides with so much talent and depth in their squad that they can afford to leave both on the bench.

McCormack cost the Villains £12 million but has fallen out of favour under new manager Steve Bruce. Warnock will probably be lucky to spend a quarter of that in January as he hunts for firepower of his own.

So how come they are struggling, and what do we need to know about Aston Villa more generally ahead of the weekend?

We spoke to Alex Dicken from our sister paper the Birmingham Mail to find out...

Bruce's new system and why it's keeping the big guns out...

"Both Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede have been victims of the change in system. Gestede started the wins over Reading and Fulham but failed to make a big impression and was dropped. McCormack started against Blackburn and might have done the same against Brighton had it not been for suspension.


"Bruce has played 4-3-3 in the majority of his matches in charge after the team struggled in a 4-4-2 during his first game with Wolves. He might be a little more adventurous at home and use Jack Grealish in midfield after he impressed at Brighton."

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1-2 to the Bluebirds
Whitts and Bamba

2-1 City.

0-0 and I'll take that

Think Villa will nick it 1-0.

Not many Villa tickets left down below the last 100 now. around 2400 mark sold

Two former players. One is a proud son of Villa’s academy and valued member of the last squad to lift the FA Youth Cup , while the other left under a dark cloud in the summer.

Peter Whittingham departed Villa Park in 2007 having made around 50 appearances in the first team. While he won’t be remembered for his senior efforts, Whittingham will always be remembered by die hard Villans for the role he played in bringing youth football’s biggest prize back to the city.

Joe Bennett, on the other hand, will probably be in for a frosty reception when he walks out of the Villa Park tunnel wearing the blue of Cardiff this weekend.
The left-back was deemed surplus to requirements in the summer and vented his frustration after Dr Tony Xia blocked a move to Sheffield Wednesday before allowing him to join the Bluebirds.
The former Middlesbrough man will be eager to put in a good performance at Villa Park to silence his critics.

24/11/16

Team News

Jazz Richards remains a doubt with a foot injury, although he is back in light training.
There are no other major concerns and Neil Warnock is expected to select a starting XI similar to the one which defeated Huddersfield last weekend.

Aston Villa Vs Cardiff City: Match Preview

By Jamie Kemble

Date and Time: Saturday 26th November (15.00)

Venue: Villa Park

Referee: Geoff Eltringham

Cardiff City travel to Villa Park to face an in-form Aston Villa as they look to build on last week’s win over Huddersfield Town.


The Bluebirds travel to the Midlands to face a rejuvenated Aston Villa side who are beginning to turn their season around. Cardiff will be desperate to make it back-to-back wins after defeating high-flyers Huddersfield Town at the Cardiff City Stadium last weekend.

Neil Warnock’s men have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six but the bottom three is keeping pace with them and they still remain 21st in the league table, just two points above the relegation zone.

Aston Villa come into this one brimming with confidence and without a defeat in their last six games. The appointment of Steve Bruce has seemingly turned their season around and they are now just five points from the top six.

Last time out, Villa took a point home from the AMEX Stadium with a 1-1 draw against second placed Brighton. The visitors dominated large spells of the game and at the final whistle, it was Brighton who were happy to hold on for a point, despite going into the game in fine form.

Going into Saturday’s fixture, Aston Villa and Cardiff City are separated by four points. Villa currently occupy 16th spot, while Cardiff hover in 21st.

The last time the two sides met they drew a blank with a 0-0 draw at the Cardiff City Stadium in the Premier League. Cardiff keeper David Marshall was in fine form that evening, pulling off a number of good saves, including one which was nominated for Premier league save of the season. In the corresponding Premier League fixture, Aston Villa won by a comfortable 2-0 score-line.

Cardiff haven’t actually beaten Saturday’s opponents since December 1974 and to find a win at Villa Park, you have to trace all the way back to December 1954.

ASTON VILLA'S HOME ATTENDANCES THIS SEASON

Here are the other home attendances for Villa so far this season.

Villa v Rotherham 33,286.

Villa v Huddersfield 34,924

Villa v Nottingham Forest 30, 619

Villa v Brentford 29,752

Villa v Newcastle 32,062.

Villa v Wolves 32,533.

Villa v Fulham 32,201

Villa v Blackburn 29,712

What will Aston Villa's attendance be against Cardiff City?


Birmingham Mail

By STEVE WOLLASTON

Thursday 24th November 2016

The Villa Park attendance was confirmed as 29,712 for the visit of Blackburn Rovers in the last home game.

It was the lowest home gate of the season, will this weekend see the numbers increase?

Loud chants of 'Steve Bruce's claret and blue army' were belted out from the Holte End in the closing stages of the victory so there is every reason to think the optimism could carry over.

Especially after the unbeaten run continued at Brighton, Villa fans are on a high.

It's a big game for Villa, but perhaps not the most glamorous of fixtures.

Cardiff City have sold their allocation with only restricted viewing tickets available.

The question is will those floating voters with the Villa shirts turn up to swell the numbers?

Expect a good crowd, certainly in excess of 32k.

Cardiff City are bringing 2,400 fans

Why Cardiff City must take something from Villa Park

By Jamie Kemble

Thursday 24th November 2016

Cardiff City take on Aston Villa on Saturday and they must come away with something to ensure their resurgence continues.

Cardiff City’s Lee Peltier and Bristol City’s Luke Freeman in actionCardiff City’s Lee Peltier and Bristol City’s Luke Freeman in action

Neil Warnock takes his Cardiff City side to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon where they will face a tough test as they look to continue their recent improvements.

The Bluebirds have only lost two of their first six games under Warnock and they will be hoping their loss count doesn't grow despite the difficulty of the opponent this weekend.

Aston Villa started the season poorly but the appointment of Steve Bruce has seen them hit a purple patch, and they are now unbeaten in six games.





Villa dominated against Brighton away from home last weekend and managed to take a point from the team placed second in the Championship.

Cardiff will have it all to do if they want to take anything from the Midlands this weekend and the battle between Neil Warnock and Steve Bruce will be mouth-watering to say the least.

However, Cardiff mustn't look at Aston Villa's form or their collection of stars, they must instead look at what they can do to take points home from South Wales.

The Bluebirds put on an encouraging display at Newcastle just a couple of weeks ago but couldn't prevent the Magpies from taking three points.

Aston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia heads at goalAston Villa's Jonathan Kodjia heads at goal

They must avoid the same happening this weekend at all costs or risk a real halt in their progress. Warnock's men must show resilience in order to make a statement to the league, and start climbing the table.

Despite recent progress, Cardiff still sit in 21st but a good result this weekend could take them up as far as three places and it's that progress which will give them real belief going forward.

It will certainly be a very tough clash at Villa Park, there is no doubt about that, but if Cardiff can secure a point or three then it could well be the game which kick-starts their rise up the table.

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2. 1 to city att 29 000

"Absolutely nothing to fear from Aston Villa"

So says Nathan Blake

Neil Warnock on Steve Bruce and the Aston Villa job


Neil Warnock: "I think with Steve and myself I think you get what you see. I was disappointed I did not get a chance with Villa in the summer if I’m honest, because i thought it would have been ideal to sort everything out. And that is why i am not surprised at all Steve has gone in and done really well."

"I am not saying we are similar types, but I think we have the same philosophies regarding management. We are not bothered about being in the Chamionship. He does not think he is going to be a Premier League manager, he just gets on with whatever he does 100 per cent."

"Personally I thought he should have been England manager at the time. I just thought with his experience playing wise and what he had done and his age and his enthusiasm. I thought it was an ideal position for him in the summer.
I know Gareth has done a good job. I am surprised they have not spoken to Steve again."

Are tickets available at the gate tomorrow?

Are tickets available at the gate tomorrow?

NO, Virtually Sold out for Cardiff end.

Joe Bennett Tweeted
Big game this weekend back at Villa Park. Looking forward to seeing some familiar faces and hopefully grab 3 points