Premier League: Cardiff City v Aston Villa match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Cardiff City Stadium

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his Cardiff team take on Aston Villa (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Cardiff City have made the short journey home after their chastening defeat to arch rivals Swansea City at the weekend, to face Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

That 3-0 defeat to their Welsh neighbours was manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fourth defeat in five matches since taking over but the manner of the defeat and the opponents mean it is probably the worst yet.

The Bluebirds welcome Aston Villa to the Cardiff City Stadium with Paul Lambert’s men coming off successive defeats against Everton and then West Ham last weekend.

Villa’s 2-0 home defeat to the Hammers means they sit just four points off the drop zone and are in danger of slipping back into the relegation picture and this match could prove pivotal for either side’s hopes of safety.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Aston Villa 2 (Bacuna, Kozak) Cardiff 0, Premier League, November 2013

Aston Villa 1 (Agbonlahor) Cardiff 0, Carling Cup, third-round, September 2009

STATS…

Cardiff’s form over the last 6 matches (5 defeats, 1 win) is the worst in the Premier League.

Only Norwich (11) have scored fewer goals at home than Cardiff (12).

Cardiff have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last nine Premier League games.

Only bottom-of-the-table Fulham (-31) have a worse goal difference than Cardiff (-25).

ODDS…

Cardiff to win: 2.4

Aston Villa to win: 2.9

Draw: 3.3

TV: Live on BT Sport 1 at 7.45pm, highlights Sky Sports 1 ‘Match Choice’ from 10.00pm, more highlights on BBC 1 on Wednesday at 10.35pm.