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

Battleground

We’re seeing more and more of Villa and Kodjia so far, who is keeping Bamba and Morrison very busy. And Grealish and Ayew are trying to crowd out Gunnarsson in front of the centre backs. A real battle on here.

Gunnarsson being crowded out in defensive midfield by Villa's front four

Close! Hoilett with a diving header, just wide of goal. (0-0)

Handbags

Bit of handbags in the middle of the park between the two sides. Rickie Lambert not happy.

No need to worry though - Sol Bamba strides into sort it out. What a legend. Hoilett is winded and should be ok.

Flag saves Cardiff

Great run from Alan Hutton from right back, arrowing into a central area and nearly slipping it into Kodjia, who is flagged offside.

Hoilett thankfully okay to continue. (0-0)

Rickie Lambert booked for protesting after the 'challenge'. (0-0)

Dammm

Villa 1-0

1-0 Villa!

Too easy. Just too easy.

Adomah opens the scoring

Defending simply not good enough as Amavi breezes past Pilkington and Morrison. Bennett was sucked into the six yard box and Adomah was free at the back post. Disappointing after a decent start from the visitors.

RICKIE LAMBERT 1-1

SUPER RICKIE!

Villa so careless on the ball, Hoilett tees up Lambert. His composure is outstanding and he strokes it home. Pandemonium in the away end as the travelling Bluebirds go wild.

Relief

A collective sigh of relief as well as euphoria from those Cardiff fans. It was so calm from Lambert to punish a mistake from Westwood and the game is back on a knife-edge. It’s been a great first 45 minutes.

Super from Whitts

Whittingham arcing passes all over the place. Nearly feeds Hoilett. Cardiff searching for another here!

Even Stevens

Cardiff have a set piece to defend. It’s cleared to Amavi who strikes from range but Cardiff again block and get rid of the danger. They’ll be happy to go in 1-1 at the break. Pilkington booked after a coming-together with Grealish.

Warnock busy

Cardiff fans ask from an ayatollah from Warnock. Unfortunately for them he’s busy giving the fourth officials both barrels after that yellow card.

Pilkington in the book as Grealish tries to pull the strings

Villa back on top

They are really starting to test Cardiff’s defence. So many attacking options and Hoilett and Lambert are finding it a little difficult to get in the game. Free-kick for Villa deep in Bluebirds’ territory, which fizzles out.

Junior Hoilett of Cardiff City goes past Ashley Westwood of Aston Villa.

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Villa score 2-1

Kodjia heads Villa into the lead. (2-1)

So simple for the Frenchman. Cardiff don’t clear their lines. Adomah tees it up and Kodjia soars above Morrison to head in.

A few complaints from the Bluebirds for a foul but nothing doing. Villa are in front again.

Villa

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defence need sorting ASAP

Bluebirds need another

Teasing ball from a Whittingham free-kick as Cardiff search for yet another route back into this game.

It’s a little scrappy on the approach to half time. Can the Bluebirds equalise again?

Conceding way too many 'easy' goals that should be cut out!!

Frustration

It’s been very healthy stuff from both sides at Villa Park. Enterprising, engaging, absorbing. Cardiff are growing frustrated as a couple of refereeing decisions don’t go their way. Grealish is being kicked and pushed all over the shop.

Conceding way too many 'easy' goals that should be cut out!!

Totally agree

More pressure from Villa

Three mins added on at the end of the first half.