Millwall vs Aston Villa. Sky Bet Championship.
The DenAttendance14,491.
Thursday 4 October 2018 18:57, UK
Millwall have Jed Wallace back in contention for the visit of managerless Aston Villa.
Wallace missed the draw at Nottingham Forest as he served a one-match ban but the midfielder is expected to be restored to the Lions' starting line-up.
Prior to his enforced absence at the City Ground, where Millwall battled back from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2, Wallace had been in every league XI for the Lions since New Year's Day. The likes of Tom Bradshaw, Steve Morison and Aiden O'Brien will also be pushing for recalls after Millwall's comeback on Wednesday night coincided with their introduction from the bench.
Villa begin life after Steve Bruce at The Den with under-23 boss Kevin MacDonald in charge. It remains to be seen how MacDonald, who has been handed the reins after Bruce was sacked following the 3-3 home draw with Preston in midweek, will line up his team.
He will be without the suspended James Chester after the defender was sent off against North End. Strikers Scott Hogan and Keinan Davis are still out with groin problems but are slowly making progress.
In all competitions, Millwall have won their last six home matches against Aston Villa.
In 2017-18, Millwall were the only side that Aston Villa failed to score against in the Championship.
Both teams have found the back of the net in 10 of Aston Villa's 11 league games this season.
Millwall haven't kept a clean sheet in any of their last nine Championship games, and are winless in their last eight (D2 L6).
Millwall have lost the most points from winning positions in the Championship this season (10), while Aston Villa have gained the most from behind (10).
Aston Villa have won just one of their last nine Championship games (D6 L2), a run that saw them part ways with manager Steve Bruce this week.
It was a brilliant fightback from Millwall to earn a point at Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, but if they had taken their chances in the first half they surely would have earned all three.
Aston Villa are now on the hunt for a new manager after sacking Steve Bruce, it will be interesting to see which way they turn in that regard, but I fancy them to come away from The Den with a victory.
David Prutton predicts: 0-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
