Aston Villa host Cardiff this weekend as Paul Lambert’s man attempt to win following 4 winless fixtures. Over those 4 fixtures Villa have struggled to score goals. Cardiff meanwhile are coming to Villa Park on a high, they beat rivals Swansea in the first ever Wales top flight derby. Aston Villa have struggled at home claiming only 1 victory. This could very well be the game that changes the clubs form.
These are games that Villa will have to win if they want to avoid another relegation battle this season, and Lambert knows that winning at home is vital for a team to succeed in this league. Cardiff on the other hand will probably search for a point as they aim for Premier League survival this season.
Team News:
Aston Villa will be without a few key players this weekend. Gabriel Agbonlahor is still out with an ankle injury. Left-backs Antonio Luna and Joe Bennett will also miss out with hamstring and back injuries. Andi Weimann, who hobbled of after last weekends game against West Ham is also struggling with a hamstring injury. Delph should return to the squad after recovering from a flu.
Cardiff are only without Danish striker Andreas Cornelius who is a long-term causality.
Match Facts:
Aston Villa have gone six hours and 15 minutes without scoring a goal in the Premier League.
Cardiff have only conceded eight goals in five away games, the same amount as Man Utd (8) and fewer than Man City (9).
The only recent meeting between Aston Villa and Cardiff came in the League Cup in September 2009. Villa scored the only goal after three minutes through Gabriel Agbonlahor.
Paul Lambert and Aston Villa have made only 22 substitutions this season, fewer than any other side.
Villa have had fewer touches in the opposition box than any other Premier League side this season (135).
Cardiff have conceded fewer fouls than any other top-flight team this season (87)
Predicted Lineups:
Guzan
Lowton-Vlaar-Clark-Baker
Bacuna-Westwood-Delph-Tonev
Benteke-Kozak
Odemwingie
Bellamy-Whittingham-Medel-Much-Cowie
Taylor-Turner-Caulker-Theophile
Marshall
Match Prediction:
Aston Villa 1-0 Cardiff
Villa have to win this game, I’m sure that Lambert knows that. If Villa fail to win, or worse, fail to score. Lambert will lose the faith of fans and it will be very difficult for Aston Villa to pick up from there. With out Weimann or Agbonlahor Lambert has to go with a 4-4-2- formation. We need to create chances and our most creative players are definitely, Lowton, Bacuna and Tonev. If we can get a few crosses in, Kozak and Benteke will definitely be a threat. Cardiff will play well, and I’m sure that McKay will feel as though they can get something from this game.