Aston Villa will be looking to get a faltering Championship promotion bid back on track when they play host to Neil Warnock's high-flying Cardiff City on Tuesday.
Steve Bruce has positioned his team inside the play-off pack, and victory in midweek would all-but secure their place in the top six.
Villa have, however, collected just one win in five to stunt their momentum at a crucial stage of the season.
Cardiff, in contrast, have suffered just one defeat in their last 14 - although that did come against table-topping Wolves last time out to leave the Bluebirds nine points adrift of the leaders and only two clear of Fulham in third.
| Game | Aston Villa vs Cardiff City |
| Date | Tuesday, April 10 |
| Time | 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET |
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched via ESPN or through the WatchESPN app.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| ESPN | WatchESPN |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on Sky Sports Football and streamed online using Sky Go.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Football | Sky Go |
Squads & Team News
| Position | Aston Villa players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Johnstone, Bunn |
| Defenders | Taylor, Samba, Chester, Bree, Richards, Terry, Elmohamady, Tuanzebe |
| Midfielders | Whelan, Snodgrass, Lansbury, Grealish, Hourihane, Jedinak, Onomah, Bjarnason, O'Hare, Adomah, Lyden |
| Forwards | Hogan, Agbonlahor, Kodjia, Davis, McCormack, Grabban, Hepburn-Murphy |
Bruce is unlikely to make many changes to his side, despite the games coming thick and fast.
Jonathan Kodjia has returned to the fold of late, but he has been forced to settle for a place on the bench and may find himself among the replacements again, while Alan Hutton remains sidelined.
Potential Aston Villa starting XI: Johnstone; Elmohamady, Chester, Terry, Taylor; Bjarnason; Snodgrass, Hourihane, Grealish, Adomah; Hogan.
| Position | Cardiff City players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Etheridge, Murphy |
| Defenders | Peltier, Bennett, Morrison, Ecuele Manga, Richards, Bamba, Halford, Connolly, Paterson, Traore |
| Midfielders | Ralls, Harris, Feeney, Pilkington, Gunnarsson, Mendez-Laing, Damour, Bryson, Grujic, Ward, Harris, Hoilett |
| Forwards | Ward, Zohore, Gounongbe, Meite, Wildschut, Healey, Madine |
Aron Gunnarsson completed 90 minutes against Wolves, in a welcome boost for the Bluebirds, and should retain his place.
Joe Ralls could step back in if Warnock decides to shuffle his pack, but long-term absentees Danny Ward, Matthew Connolly and Jazz Richards remain unavailable.
Potential Cardiff City starting XI: Etheridge; Peltier, Morrison, Bamba, Bennett; Paterson, Gunnarsson, Grujic; Mendez-Laing, Hoilett, Zohore.
Betting & Match Odds
Villa are considered to be favourites with dabblebet, who offer odds of 13/10 on a home win, while Cardiff are priced at 11/5. A draw is available at 9/4.
Match Preview
Getty Images
Aston Villa could still force their way into automatic promotion contention, but need to find some form from somewhere.
Bruce was charged with the task of returning the club to the Premier League upon his appointment and will be fully aware of the pressure he is under to deliver top-flight football.
Warnock, meanwhile, is a Championship specialist and is looking to repeat his previous successes at Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers.
He recently had Cardiff on a 13-match unbeaten run in the Championship, but they have dropped five points in their last two outings and could slip out of the top two in midweek if results go against them.
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