Aston Villa vs Millwall. Sky Bet Championship.
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Watch live on Sky Sports Football Red Button from 12.55pm on Easter Monday; Kick-off is at 1pm
Monday 22 April 2019 13:03, UK
Leading scorer Tammy Abraham among in-form Aston Villa's injury worries as they prepare to host Millwall on Monday.
Abraham, who has 25 goals this season, overcame a hamstring injury to face Bolton on Friday, but injured his shoulder and the knock-on effects remain to be seen.
The expected return of fellow striker Jonathan Kodjia (rib) would provide a timely boost as Villa seek a 10th win in a row.
Midfielder Ben Thompson has handed Millwall a huge fitness blow. Thompson, who boss Neil Harris says has been his side's best player in 2019, went off in Friday's draw with Brentford with a hamstring injury.
Defender has been laid low with illness and it is likely he will again miss out.
Aston Villa are winless in four matches against Millwall in all competitions (W0 D1 L3), last beating them in October 1990 in a League Cup third round match.
Millwall have won six of their last nine league matches against Aston Villa (W6 D2 L1), winning 2-1 earlier this campaign.
Aston Villa and Millwall haven't faced each other on Easter Monday since April 1973, drawing 1-1 in a second tier match.
Including play-offs, Aston Villa are winless in their last 11 Championship matches against London opposition (W0 D3 L8), with three of those against Millwall (W0 D1 L2).
Aston Villa have won their last four home matches, having won just four of their previous 12 under Dean Smith in all competitions (W4 D5 L3).
Millwall have scored four first-half goals in their last five away league games - one more than in their previous 18 (three).
Dean Smith struggled to get the best of this Villa side when he took over in October, but in the last few months, he's taken them from mid-table mediocrity to fifth in the Championship table, aided by a the club-record equalling nine-match winning streak they are currently in the midst of.
The Lions - who do still have a game in hand - are fighting for their lives at the other end of the standings and will be a tough nut to crack. I think Villa will win comfortably, though, and set a new club record in the process.
David Prutton predicts: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
