Bluebirds need a reaction... but so do hosts Villa
CARDIFF City look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Wolves in their huge Championship clash with Aston Villa tonight.
Here’s everything you need to know about the clash with Steve Bruce’s side.
Kick-off time and TV details
The match at Villa Park gets underway at 7:45pm on Tuesday, April 10.
As always, you can follow our live blog service at Wales Online, bringing you all the build-up, action, reaction and analysis.
Alternatively, you can watch the action live on Sky Sports, with coverage on their Main Event and Football channels starting at 7:30pm.
Fitness bulletin
Andre Green remains sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered in February while Jed Steer is out for the remainder of the campaign with a dislocated shoulder.
Villa also look set to be without defender Alan Hutton who has been sidelined with a thigh problem.
The Bluebirds could well be sweating on the fitness of Callum Paterson after the Scot was substituted during the Bluebirds’ 1-0 loss to Wolves.
But Warnock was quick to play down concerns, adding that Aron Gunnarsson is also available having completed the full 90 minutes against Wolves following his lengthy injury lay-off.
Joe Ralls looks set to be in contention to return to action, although long-term absentees Danny Ward, Matthew Connolly and Jazz Richards remain sidelined.
Predicted lineups
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1): Johnstone; Elmohamady, Terry, Chester, Taylor; Snodgrass, Bjarnason, Hourihane, Adomah; Grealish, Hogan.
Cardiff City (4-3-3): Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Paterson, Bryson, Grujic; MendezLaing, Hoilett, Zohore.
Form guide
Steve Bruce’s men have won just one of their last five Championship games, losing to Queens Park Rangers, Bolton Wanderers and - most recently - Norwich City during that run.
The Bluebirds had won eight matches on the bounce prior to the 1-1 draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, but their 13-game unbeaten streak came to an end on Friday as they were beaten 1-0 by Wolves in Cardiff.
What the managers have said Steve Bruce
“There are still five games left, six for some,” said Bruce after his side’s shock 3-1 loss to Norwich City at Carrow Road.
“We could have set it up very nicely. “But we will have to be better against Cardiff because if we are not we will get turned over. I expect us to be better and I am sure we will be.
“At this particular moment I’m angry, frustrated, the whole thing. It’s not over. The over-riding factor is that what happens in big games.”
Neil Warnock
“They’re all big games,” said the Yorkshireman ahead of the trip to Villa Park.
“I think the teams we’re playing won’t look forward to playing us. So it depends which way you look at it.
“We’ve got six games. You know what you’re going to get with us.
“We have got a good group of lads. We’ve had knocks this season and come back.”
Match facts
Aston Villa have won 12 of their last 14 home matches against Cardiff in all competitions, drawing the other two.
The Bluebirds have won their last two Championship matches against Villa, winning 1-0 in January 2017 and 3-0 in August this season.
After a run of 10 wins in 12 Championship games, the Villans have won just one of their last five in the league (D1 L3).
Neil Warnock has lost all six of his away Football League meetings with Steve Bruce, with all six coming with different clubs (Bury, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Crystal Palace, Rotherham and Cardiff).
Robert Snodgrass has scored in three of his last five league matches against Cardiff (three goals), but hasn’t ended on the winning side in any of those games (D1 L2).
Referee
Jeremy Simpson will oversee proceedings at Villa Park.
Latest betting odds (Courtesy of Sky Bet)
Aston Villa win 5/4 Draw 11/5 Cardiff City win 23/10