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

Aston Villa 2-1 Cardiff City

It’s the Villains who end the first half in the ascendancy. Grealish has been good and Kodjia is a livewire.

There’s a very late chance in the half as Hoilett scoops one in the direction of Ralls at the backpost. Cardiff then win a corner but Morrison can’t keep the ball alive and is actually given offside.

Warnock will be seething with the goals conceded, both of which were very soft from a defensive point of view. They’ve played some nice stuff, Hoilett has been kicked out of the game but they’ve put some nice moves together and Gunnarsson has been everywhere. They’re still in this.

HALF TIME STATS: Villa 2-1 Cardiff
Possession: 68%-32%
Shots: 5-3
Shots on target: 2-1

Neil Warnock speaks with player Lee Peltier

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Come on City

46 - Hoilett header saved well by Gollin

Tommy Elphick has replaced Nathan Baker for the home side.

Hoilett heads tamely at goal after the Bluebirds win a long throw, delivered by Gunnarsson. They’ll be determined to get back into this one.

City now doing the attacking

Cardiff begin the second half on top. Good signs

Villa are always a threat on the break. Kodjia doing all the running but the Claret shirts can’t pick out their speedy Frenchman.

More moans from both managers as the ref misses a clear handball.

Wide!

What happened there? Scramble in the box as Cardiff lump it in. Elphick deflected it narrowly past the post. Almost 2-2

Hoilett's flick on just evades the stretching leg of Morrison at close range. (2-1)

52mins: Chance for the visitors. Hoilett's ball in falls to skipper Morrison who can't quite connect.

Villa looking to kill off the game, but it's Cardiff who have started better AGAIN.

Lambert excellent

Not content with getting a goal earlier in the game, Rickie Lambert is chasing lost causes and busting a gut to make something happen.

Cardiff just need to find the right pass to their talisman.

Cardiff pressing

Pilkington steams infield after a nice exchange with Peltier on the right. But the Irish winger wanted too much time on the ball.

Villa crowd him out and it’s poor from Pilks to give away a goal kick to let Villa, and Jordan Amavi, off the hook.

Former Villa man Kieran Richardson is warming up on the sidelines.

Grealish v Gunnars

These two are having a right old battle. Clattering each other, trying a few verbals. It’s a key battleground and both are trying to upset the other one. Adomah lands awkwardly but he springs straight back up.

Richardson and Noone warming up.

Cardiff getting better

Cardiff catch Villa napping for the umpteenth time. Amavi has the ball nicked from under his nose, but it’s ponderous from Cardiff and, despite a nice ball from Whittingham, Lambert cannot free Pilkington. Villa ease the pressure.

Another chance

Free kick Cardiff. Amavi booked. Great position for Whitts. Met by a towering Morrison header which flies over the crossbar.

Two handball appeals in less than a minute for #CardiffCity - nothing given. (2-1)

61 - Morrison heads over the bar for the #Bluebirds. (2-1)

Hoilett does really well to get away on the right side, his cross just slips past the onrushing Lambert. (2-1)

Lambert stretching

Oh Junior Hoilett, superb. Nearly slips it across for Lambert whose legs aren’t quite long enough. Could have been the crucial leveller. Cardiff on top, forcing Bruce into a change, as Agbonlahor replaces Ayew.

64mins: Second change for Villa. @jordan_ayew9 comes off, Gabby Agbonlahor is introduced.

Cardiff are getting closer. It's only a matter of time

Crunch!

That’s a rock solid challenge from Joe Bennett. Not giving an inch against his former team. Love that aggression.

Grealish goes down softly in the box and appeals for a penalty - nothing given. (2-1)

Kadeem Harris and Stuart O’Keefe getting ready by the looks of it as matters flare up on the pitch again.

Canny challenge from Lambert who could have been booked but coolly walks away. Before that, there were shouts for a Villa penalty waved away by the referee.