HOW THEY RATED
STAR MAN
ARON GUNNARSSON Brilliant energy and effort once more from the Icelander who simply set the tone for the rest of the side with a refusal to take a step back. BRIAN MURPHY Home debut for the Irishman and a deserved clean sheet as he stayed solid and reliable at set-pieces and pulled out some key saves. LEE PELTIER Recovered from a calf problem to start and quickly showed why Warnock was so keen to have him back in his side. Solid as ever. BRUNO MANGA Last game for the centre-back before he heads off on international duty and stayed alert to Villa’s threat with little fuss. SEAN MORRISON (CAPT) Caught by Villa’s pace a few times and distribution poor but stayed strong in air and was threat in opposition box as always. SOL BAMBA Back from suspension and thrown into an anchor midfield role that, after some very early wobbles, he looked superb in. Cut out all manner of balls, didn’t give Villa shirts a moment’s peace and kept his discipline . JOE BENNETT Impressive showing from the full-back against his former club with good energy about his game, some notable attacking balls and a superb clearance from under his own bar. JOE RALLS Another who will get a pat on the back from Warnock for throwing every ounce of energy into things, not to mention his decisive goal. KADEEM HARRIS Needed a big game to make the most of his chance to replace Peter Whittingham in the starting XI. Put himself about in a major way and really tried to take the game to the Villa full-backs, though lacked a little composure when needed. JUNIOR HOILETT Had not really been able to force his way into the game before falling foul of injury, leaving Craig Noone to add his zip to things. KENNETH ZOHORE Should have made more of big chance and still not the clinical striker Cardiff need, but his work-rate and hold-up play gave side every chance. SUBS Craig Noone (for Hoilett, 37) Matt Connolly (for Bennett, 82) Not Used: Wilson (gk), Richards, Pilkington, Lambert, Huws.
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YELLOW CARDS Cardiff: Ralls 27, Gunnarsson 57, Bamba 64, Peltier 74 Aston Villa: Chester 42, Gerealish 61, Bacuna 78, Hutton 85 ASTON VILLA Bunn; Hutton, Chester (capt), Baker, Amavi; Gardner (Tshibola, 46), Westwood (Agbonlahor, 46); Bacuna, Grealish, Adomah; McCormack (Hepburn-Murphy, 83). Subs Not Used: Gollini (gk), Elphick, Ayew, Cissokho.