Aston Villa vs Millwall. Sky Bet Championship.
Villa ParkAttendance29,628.
Friday 8 December 2017 12:57, UK
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has been handed a boost with the news that Mile Jedinak is back in training days after he feared losing him for three months.
The midfielder saw a specialist earlier this week and was told he could resume training after resting a shoulder injury which it was initially thought might require surgery, and he will be assessed ahead of Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Millwall.
Strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor (calf) and Scott Hogan (stomach) have returned to full training and they too will be assessed before Brice names his team. However, the manager will still be without John Terry (fractured metatarsal) and Jonathan Kodjia (ankle).
Millwall will have Conor McLaughlin available as they chase a first away win. The full-back was suspended for the impressive win over Sheffield United last week and Mahlon Romeo excelled in his absence, leaving Neil Harris with a decision.
Fred Onyedinma picked up a groin injury in that game which will give him Christmas off. Shaun Williams is nearing a return following a lengthy absence with a knee injury.
This is the first league meeting between these sides since the 1989/90 season, when both competed in the top-flight - Villa won 1-0 at Villa Park that season with a goal from David Platt.
They met most recently in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2012/13, with Millwall winning 2-1 at the Den via a last-minute goal from John Marquis.
Aston Villa have won 18 league matches in 2017 - their best tally in a calendar year since 2008 (also 18); they last won more than 18 in 1998, when they won 21 matches in the Premier League.
Millwall haven't won back to back Championship matches since winning three in a row between May and August 2014.
Albert Adomah's 10 league goals this season have been worth 11 points to Aston Villa - only Billy Sharp (12) has won more points for his team in the Championship this season.
Steve Morison has had more shots than any other Championship player without scoring this season (44).
Aston Villa got a decent point at Leeds last week but they still lost ground on the top two, and if they have their sights set on automatic promotion then they need to be winning games like this.
Millwall got a great result against Sheffield United to end their winless run, but their away form has been poor this season. Bit of a home banker for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
