Aston Villa travel to South Wales this afternoon as they take on Cardiff City in the Championship…
Cardiff City starting line-up: Murphy; Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Manga, Bennett; Ralls, Gunnarsson; Harris, Zohor, Hoilett.
Cardiff City substitutes: Amos, Richards, Noone, Connolly, Pilkington, Lambert, Huws
Aston Villa starting line-up: Bunn; Hutton, Chester, Baker, Amavi; Gardner, Westwood; Adomah, Bacuna, Grealish; McCormack.
Aston Villa substitutes: Gollini, Ayew, Cissokho, Elphick, Tshibola, Agbonlahor, Hepburn-Murphy
Villa head into today’s game having drawn 1-1 at home with Leeds United last time out, meaning it’s just one defeat in the last five games for Steve Bruce’s side.
Today, Bruce is looking for another win to aid Villa’s play-off hopes, and he’s going with former Cardiff City striker Ross McCormack up front, with Jonathan Kodjia heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast.
Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood start in midfield, whilst Jordan Amavi – linked with a move away from the club – keeps his place at left back.
Teenage attacker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is on the bench, along with the likes of Tommy Elphick, Aaron Tshibola and Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Meanwhile, Cardiff having played since Boxing Day after their game with Brighton was postponed, meaning Neil Warnock’s men should be fresh.
Ex-Villa left back Joe Bennett starts, but former Villa playmaker Peter Whittingham misses out through injury this afternoon.
The likes of Aron Gunnarsson, Sol Bamba, Junior Hoilett and Kenneth Zohore all start, whilst there are places on the bench for Rickie Lambert, Anthony Pilkington and Craig Noone among others.
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