Date and Time: Saturday 12th August (15:00)
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Referee: Tim Robinson
Cardiff City host Aston Villa at the Cardiff City Stadium in the hope of building on their positive start to the season.
Neil Warnock will be hoping he makes it three wins on the bounce when his side host Aston Villa at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Bluebirds defeated Burton Albion on the opening day of the season following a moment of class from Kenneth Zohore before coming from behind to advance to the next round of the Carabao Cup against Portsmouth on Tuesday evening.
However, Neil Warnock’s side will face their toughest challenge yet when they host Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with the visitors having promotion ambitions of their own this season.
Warnock would have drilled it into the minds of the players to make the Cardiff City Stadium a fortress this season and they have a fantastic opportunity to show a real statement of intent on Saturday when hosting one of the favourites for the Championship title.
The Bluebirds will be hoping to improve on their home form from last season, having acquitted 37 points from home games and finishing 15th overall in terms of form at home in the Championship - under the guidance of Neil Warnock, though, the Bluebirds were much improved at home.
In their previous 20 outings at the Cardiff City Stadium whilst playing teams below them, the Bluebirds have lost just twice - winning eleven and drawing on seven occasions according to Kick Off.
When Aston Villa travel to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, Neil Warnock’s men will be looking to build on that record, despite it being just the second game of the season for both sides.
However, Villa have had the better of Cardiff in the last four occasions - winning two out of the four games. The Bluebirds did manage to beat Villa last season at home, though as Joe Ralls’ first-half strike was enough to give Warnock’s side all three points.
The visitors come into this one having drawn their first game of the season against Hull City as well as prevailing in the Carabao Cup first round on Wednesday night courtesy of a goal from Scott Hogan and an own goal from Colchester’s Frankie Kent.
Bruce has recruited well, brining in the experienced head of John Terry from Premier League Champions Chelsea, ending a 19 year-spell at the club.
Villa have also brought in defender Christopher Samba to bolster their defence as they strive for promotion back to the Premier League after failing to do so this season, although he managed to give a penalty away in the cup during the week.
Former Bluebird Ross McCormack is still on Villa’s books, but with him being out-of-favour at Villa Park it is unlikely he will partake in any action on Saturday afternoon.
The 25 year-old forward bagged a total of 25 goals between 2008 and 2010 in South Wales and was very much a fan favourite during his two-year spell with the club.
Villa also have Welsh defenders James Chester and former Swansea City player Neil Taylor plying their trade at the Midlands-based outfit.
TEAM NEWS
The Bluebirds are still without winger Kadeem Harris who has been ruled out for three months with an ankle injury and Rhys Healey remains out long-term. Matthew Connolly also continues to struggle.
Neil Warnock has no fresh injury concerns despite some first-team players going through 120 minutes of football on Tuesday in the Carabao Cup.
Zohore will be expected to return to lead the frontline following his exclusion from the side on Tuesday evening in the cup.
Mendez-Laing provided tremendous endeavour and determination when coming on in the Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth and may start against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.
Villa are still without their star striker Jonathan Kodjia, who broke his ankle towards the end of last season.
Steve Bruce could well pick the same side who started against Hull City at home last weekend with James Chester partnering John Terry in defence.
RECENT MEETINGS
January 2017: Cardiff City 1-0 Aston Villa
November 2016: Aston Villa 3-1 Cardiff City
February 2014: Cardiff City 0-0 Aston Villa
RECENT HIGHLIGHTS