Bristol City Battle for Bruce and Aston Villa

The first game of 2018 at Villa Park is massive as Aston Villa and Bristol City face off. Whilst Aston Villa won last time out at Middlesborough, Bristol City lost ground on Wolves as the visitors left Ashton Gate with a 2-1 victory.

In three recent meetings in the Championship, the record is even. Last season, the home team won in both games whilst the game at Ashton Gate, in August, ended in a 1-1 draw. The fixture at Villa Park has score draw written all over it. However, both sides know how important it is to not lose ground on fellow teams looking for promotion.

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Bristol City will be smarting from their defeat at home. With Wolves down to ten men and a 1-0 lead, a rash challenge from goalkeeper Frank Fielding changed the game. The resultant red card led to backup goalkeeper Luke Steele having to finish out the game. His inability to deal with a free kick and corner led to both Wolves goals as the leaders turned the game around.

Steele will play against Villa as Fielding will be suspended. This should be a disadvantage for Bristol City because Villa must test the ex-Manchester United keeper with shots and crosses. Wolves passing and movement troubled the City defence. Ball needs to be played out wide to allow Snodgrass and Adomah to get into crossing positions.

In the 2-0 win at Villa Park last February, Steve Bruce played a 4-3-3 formation. Especially at home, Aston Villa need to be more attacking by changing their formation. The predictability of Bruce’s selections is bordering ridiculous now and is a major reason for December’s slump. As welcome as the victory at Middlesborough was, we cannot fool ourselves into thinking all is good again.

Bristol City’s potency up front will need to be watched closely. They score 1.67 goals per game away from home. Bobby Reid‘s 12 goals this season have been supported by Jamie Paterson’s six from attacking midfield positions. Paterson is also the chief provider for City with seven assists so far this season. In the “Away” table, only Wolves have a better record on the road.

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Aston Villa’s lineup may be dictated by illness and injury once again. A sickness bug led to Glenn Whelan, Neil Taylor and Keinan Davis missing Saturday’s game. Josh Onomah injury led to his early substitution which may mean he misses the game.

The inclusion of Tommy Elphick because of sickness was a revelation. It’s difficult to understand why Bruce can’t see it. The squad could have a healthy sprinkling of youth again with Rushian Hepburn-Murphy pushing for inclusion at some point.

A great game to start 2018 because of the position in the table of both sides. Bristol City will think that they can leave Villa Park with three points. Aston Villa will also think that they can win the game having lost only once, in the Championship, this season. It’s a great opportunity to start the year with three points and set a positive tone.

WHEN: Monday, January 1, 2018 @ 5:30pm GMT / 12:30pm EST

WHERE: Villa Park

PREDICTION: 2-1 Aston Villa victory

You can call it crazy but Villa has to beat top six opposition soon and this could be the game. A combination of injury/sickness causing a selection shake-up and Bristol City’s loss at home and first choice keeper conspiring to deliver a home victory.

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