Aston Villa vs Cardiff – Match preview

Article by Aston Villa Correspondent Ed Hewings

It’s quite early in the season, but you feel that games like these will come to define the seasons of each club. Villa, having escaped relegation narrowly last season, will want to prove that they are progressing as a team under Paul Lambert, and games like these are ones that the fans will want to see a big win and a good performance. Cardiff, on the other hand, having won the Championship and having suffered somewhat at the start of the season, will want to build on their excellent win in the South Wales derby last weekend.

Unfortunately for Villa, their strike force has been depleted by injury, so it will be an excellent opportunity for some of the fringe players to stake a claim for a prolonged run in the side. Andreas Weimann picked up a hamstring injury against West Ham last week, and Gabby Agbonlahor’s ankle injury will keep him on the sidelines – this will give a few from Aleksandar Tonev, Libor Kozak, Nicklas Helenius and Jordan Bowery a chance to play against the Welsh side. However, Fabian Delph should return from the illness that kept him out last week and deprived the Villa midfield of its usual vigour and action that Delph brings to the pitch.

It is likely that Villa will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, taking the game to Cardiff as well they should on their home patch, with Kozak and Benteke up front, with Tonev and Bacuna on the wings. Lowton should return in defence, yet Luna and Bennett are still injured so Baker will deputise at left-back. This would be a return to a somewhat traditional formation, something apart from the norm, for Paul Lambert, with two wingers and two ‘big men’ up top.

Cardiff have a fully fit squad to choose from, barring big money summer signing Andreas Cornelius, who continues to be out with an ankle injury. It is likely that Malky Mackay will keep faith with the same team that played so well last weekend to frustrate Swansea and ultimately keep the three points in Cardiff.

This weekend also sees the return of Peter Whittingham, such an integral part of Cardiff’s promotion to the Premier League, to his previous club, where he made a total of 66 appearances and scored one goal. Useful fact about that goal – it was the first goal scored in the Premier League with the yellow winter ball when it was introduced in the 2004-05 season – a fact for a pub quiz no doubt!

I feel that although Villa have struggled at home recently, that was against a much higher caliber of opponent, and they will see this game as an excellent opportunity to get back to winning ways on their own patch. It will be a tough game, as Mackay will not want Cardiff to lose the momentum they will have gained from last week’s victory. However, I think Cardiff will struggle against Benteke and an ever improving Villa defence.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3 Cardiff 1

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