Aston Villa v Bristol City preview
Monday 1 January 2018 13:22, UK
Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce will be hoping the sickness bug which ravaged his squad in the build-up to Saturday's win at Middlesbrough has eased in time for the home game against Bristol City on Monday (kick-off 5.30pm).
Bruce lost Glenn Whelan, Neil Taylor and Keinan Davis for the trip to the Riverside as illness swept through the club.
That left the Villa boss without nine players in total, with Jonathan Kodjia, Gabby Agbonlahor, Henri Lansbury, John Terry and Chris Samba also missing.
To compound Bruce's misery, Josh Onomah pulled up after 37 minutes of the 1-0 victory at Boro with an injury, making him a doubt for the clash with the high-flying Robins. Jack Grealish came on in his place, despite the midfielder nursing a hamstring problem.
Bristol City will be without goalkeeper Frank Fielding following his dismissal in Saturday's last-gasp defeat at home to leaders Wolves.
Fielding was given his marching orders for bringing down Matt Doherty in the 63rd minute and he is now banned for the Villa trip, with Luke Steele expected to come in.
Nathan Baker and Jamie Paterson were passed fit to start against Wanderers despite the pair limping out of the Boxing Day victory over Reading with hamstring problems. They should be okay to continue.
Defender Aden Flint was sent into attack during the second half of the Wolves clash and could make the switch once again on New Year's Day.
Opta stats
Villa have won five of their last six league matches at Villa Park against the Robins (L1).
Bristol City's last league win at Villa Park came in August 1979.
Aston Villa's last New Year's Day match outside the top-flight came in 1988, a 5-0 home win over Hull City under Graham Taylor.
Bristol City have lost 13 of their last 15 away league matches on New Year's Day (D2) since winning 1-0 at Blackpool in 1903.
Steve Bruce hasn't lost a league match against Bristol City since December 1998, a 2-0 defeat as Sheffield United boss; he has won four and drawn four since.
Robert Snodgrass has had a hand in seven goals in five league matches against Bristol City (three goals, four assists), averaging a goal or assist every 59 minutes against the Robins.
Prutton's prediction
Aston Villa were dreadful at Brentford on Boxing Day but they did very well to get back to winning ways at Middlesbrough on Saturday. They're still on the cusp of the top six but will need a good run from here to get back into contention for automatic promotion.
Victory over Bristol City would be a good place to start, but I fancy the Robins to keep up their own bid with a victory at Villa Park, despite that late heartbreak against Wolves.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
