MATCH PREVIEW: CARDIFF CITY vs. ASTON VILLA
Match Previews
31st December
Cardiff City welcome Aston Villa to the Welsh Capital for their first Sky Bet Championship fixture of 2017 and the Bluebirds will be looking to get the new year off to the best possible start.
THE OPPOSITION
Aston Villa arrive in South Wales having taken seven points from their last three Championship fixtures.
This run began with a 1-0 win against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, thanks to a second half goal from Jonathan Kodjia. Steve Bruce’s men followed this up with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Burton Albion at Villa Park. Leandro Bacuna put the Villains ahead but they were pegged back by a Jamie Ward volley before the interval. Former Bluebird, Ross McCormack sealed the points for Villa just over ten minutes from time.
Villa were home again in their most recent fixture and needed a late Kodjia penalty to cancel out Pontus Jansson’s earlier goal to ensure the spoils were shared with Leeds United.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
Peter Whittingham arrived in the Welsh Capital in January 2007, having made over 50 appearances for the Villains following his debut in 2003. We celebrate Whitts' ten years at Cardiff City in Monday's edition of The Bluebird - Official Match-Day Programme.
Joe Bennett joined the Bluebirds from Aston Villa in the summer and made his debut in the victory over Bristol City in October; manager Neil Warnock’s first game in charge.
Other players to have represented both the Bluebirds and Villains include striking duo, Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede as well as James Collins, Mark Delaney and Peter Enckelman.
MEMORABLE MEETING
The Bluebirds travelled to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa on 29th January 1949 in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Cyril Spiers’ men had beaten Oldham Athletic 3-2 in the previous round to set up a first FA Cup meeting between the sides since 1929. The Villains had also provided opposition in the third round in 1927, when the Bluebirds would go on to lift the trophy.
Thousands of Cardiff fans had also travelled to Villa Park, helping make the attendance on the day an astounding 70,718. The Bluebirds went behind but soon got themselves on level terms, George Edwards crossed into the area and Ken Hollyman headed home to make the score 1-1.
Forward Billy Rees put City in front with a smart finish soon after and City were able to see the game out to seal a 2-1 win and set up a fifth round tie with Derby County.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT
TICKETS: Online: www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcityPhone: 0845 345 1400
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from City vs the Villains.
WATCH: Extended highlights of the match will be available to subscribers of Cardiff City Player HD*
SOCIAL: Live updates from Villa Park will come via our official Twitter account, @CardiffCityFC.
*Search ‘Cardiff City’ on the App Store and Google Play Store to view Cardiff City Player HD on smart phones.
