BREAKING
|Aston Villa 0-0 Man Utd – Stalemate at Villa Park|Villa Injury Update: Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara back after ACLs

Preview: Aston Villa v Bristol City – Smith set for EIGHT straight wins?

Korben O'Brienon
Match Preview

Embed from Getty Images

Contributed by: Korben O’Brien | Editor: Dan Rogers

Villa are back at B6 this Saturday afternoon as we face play off rivals Bristol City in a 3pm kick off at Villa Park.

LAST TIME OUT

Ten man Aston Villa came from behind to claim three crucial points in Yorkshire with a 2-1 victory vs Rotherham.

Despite conceding a first half penalty, two goals after the break from substitute Jonathan Kodjia and Jack Grealish earned Villa the win.

The first half began at a very frenetic pace with both sides registering efforts on goal in an end to end first ten minutes

In the eleventh minute, Jack Grealish picked up the ball on the left and scampered into the box before being hacked down. Unfortunately for Villa, Tammy Abraham saw a poor spot kick easily saved by Marek Rodak.

A determined Villa were level just three minutes into the second half. 

Following a handball, the referee awarded a spot-kick & half time substitute Jonathan Kodjia took responsibility and blasted the ball high into the net to equalise.

Minutes later, Villa’s ten men completed the turn around. Grealish was the architect, carrying the ball right across the pitch and sliding Elmohamady in on the right.

Urged to shoot by the Villa faithful behind the goal, the Egyptian full back produced a deft cut-back for Grealish to finish coolly.  It was an excellent goal that capped a superb team comeback and performance.

WATCH: Rotherham 1-2 Aston Villa

preview bristol city

In an interview with AVTV afterwards Jack Grealish said:

There’s a togetherness that’s what the squad is all about, it’s such a tight knit group.

I love captaining this group. I want to keep captaining the club and obviously keep winning.

Hopefully at the end of the season I’ll be at Wembley with a promotion medal around my neck.

PREDICTIONS

KORBEN’S PREDICTION:

My prediction for Saturday’s game is that it is going to be a very tough game and will be a challenge, but I think that Villa will just have enough quality to go and edge the win and take all three points at Villa Park.

Score Prediction:

Aston Villa 2-1 Bristol City – with John McGinn and Jack Grealish to score for Villa.

VillaUnderground.com Prediction:

Buoyed by excellent individual and team form, Villa currently look relentless.  Whilst enforced changes due to suspension and injury will change things, it will also bring fresh and capable legs into the XI.  City represent one of our more sterner tests, but with our much improved defence, midfield balance and attacking prowess I think over 90 minutes we’ll have too much.

Score Prediction:

Aston Villa 2-0 Bristol City – with Abraham and Hourihane on the scoresheet.

Key Facts

  • Aston Villa league position (5th) (66 points)
  • Bristol City league position (6th) (65 points)
  • Versatile defender Tyrone Ming’s was sent off after receiving two yellow cards against Rotherham and will more than likely be replaced by Mile Jedinak.
  • Aston Villa have scored at least two goals in 12 of the last 13 home games.
  • Aston Villa have been winning at both half time and full time in the last three home matches
  • Aston Villa form last 8 – (W7) (D1) (L0) (1st)
  • Bristol City form last 8 – (W3) (L3) (D2) (9th)
  • Aston Villa home form last 4 – (W3) (L1)
  • Bristol City away form last 4 – (W2) (D1) (L1)
  • An 8th straight win would be Villa’s first since 1975.
  • Former striker Andi Wiemann will likely feature for The Robins.

Will you support the Villa Underground?

Donate or contribute!