Burton v Aston Villa preview

Burton are hopeful defenders Jake Buxton and John Brayford will be fit for the visit of Aston Villa.

Centre-half Buxton is nursing a knock following Saturday's goalless draw with QPR, while right-back Brayford has a sore calf from the match. Joe Mason was close to a return from injury at Loftus Road and it is hoped he will be back in contention against Villa, with the on-loan Wolves forward being ineligible against his parent club at the weekend. Matty Lund (foot) is also nearing full fitness but fellow midfielder Will Miller (hamstring) is still struggling.

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Villa will check on Henri Lansbury and Gabby Agbonlahor, although manager Steve Bruce is not expected to make many changes to his team. Bruce has started with the same side in the last two games, with Villa winning both, so if midfielder Lansbury (knee) and striker Agbonlahor (groin) are fit enough to be considered for selection they could be on the bench.

Tommy Elphick is available again after suspension but he is unlikely to be involved in the squad with so many central defenders ahead of him in the pecking order. Jack Grealish has returned to light training following his kidney issues but is still weeks away from a first-team return.

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Opta stats

This is just the third league meeting between the teams - in this exact fixture last season, the teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Nigel Clough has faced Steve Bruce five times as a manager and is yet to beat him (D1 L4).

Burton have only kept one clean sheet in their last 19 home league games, a 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest in March.

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Aston Villa are looking to record back to back away league victories for the first time since September 2014.

83% of Burton's goals in the Championship this season have come on home soil (5/6); the highest proportion of any team.

Prutton's prediction

Burton held QPR to a good draw at Loftus Road at the weekend, and you feel Nigel Clough would take a point in every away game this season. They'll need to get their wins at home though if they want to survive.

Aston Villa have had a couple of great wins in the league and it finally looks like Steve Bruce might be getting things right. But I think Burton will hold them to a draw.

Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

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