MATCH PREVIEW | ASTON VILLA vs CARDIFF CITY
Match Previews
25th November
Cardiff City travel to the Midlands on Saturday to take on Aston Villa, as Neil Warnock's men look to build on last weekend's thrilling victory over Huddersfield Town.
*Limited tickets available at the Cardiff City Stadium Ticket Office, which closes at 5pm on Friday (25/11)*
THE OPPOSITION
Aston Villa, managed by Steve Bruce, have had an upturn in form of late that has seen them unbeaten in their last six Championship matches.
This run included an away trip to bitter rivals Birmingham City towards the end of October. Villa took the lead thanks to a first half goal from Gary Gardner, but had to settle for a point when midfielder David Davis scored for the Blues midway through the second period. The Villains also took a single point from their most recent game, drawing 1-1 away to second placed Brighton and Hove Albion.
The Bluebirds will have to watch out for Villa's wealth of attacking options on Saturday, including forward Jonathan Kodjia. The Ivorian striker has six league goals for Villa so far this campaign, following his summer move from Bristol City.
CLUB CONNECTIONS
City left back, Joe Bennett, returns to Villa Park for the first time following his summer move to South Wales. The defender played twenty-five times for Villa during their 2012/13 Premier League campaign and has been an integral part of the Bluebirds lineup since making his debut against Bristol City in October.
Rudy Gestede and Ross McCormack are two former City strikers currently plying their trade at Villa Park. Gestede joined Villa from Blackburn Rovers ahead of the 2015/16 campaign, with McCormack signing for the club a year later, following their relegation to the Championship.
Peter Whittingham has been doing what he wants in South Wales for nearly a decade, following his move from Villa in January 2007. The midfielder made over fifty appearances for the Villains between 2003-2007.
MEMORABLE MEETING
Cardiff City’s historic 1927 FA Cup winning campaign began on 8th January 1927 when they welcomed Aston Villa to South Wales in the Third Round.
The Bluebirds were in a sticky patch of form, having only won two of their previous nine league games, and were also without inspirational captain Fred Keenor due to injury. Despite this, in front of a crowd of around 31,000 at Ninian Park, City got themselves into a 2-0 lead.
All-time record goal scorer, Len Davies opened the scoring and Ernie Curtis got the second for the home side to give them some breathing space. Villa did pull a goal back late on, which was credited by some as an own goal for City ‘keeper Tom Farquharson, but City saw the game out for a crucial win.
The victory set up a fourth round tie away to Darlington and brought them a step closer to that famous day at Wembley on 23 April 1927.
AWAY DAY FACTS
- The Villains were founded in 1874
- They became the second team ever to win the double, when they won the First Division and FA Cup in 1897. The first club to achieve the feat was Preston North End
- In total, they have won seven FA Cups with their last triumph coming in 1957 when they overcame Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley.
- Villa were relegated from the Premier League last season having finished bottom, 22 points off safety.
DON'T MISS A MOMENT!
LISTEN: Supporters can listen in live on Cardiff City Player HD* for all the action from the Villa vs City.
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, with content available to subscribers 24/7.
