Big Match Preview: Aston Villa home

MEET THE GAFFER: STEVE BRUCE

The only manager to boast four promotions from the Sky Bet Championship, Bruce was appointed with the hope of making it five sooner rather than later.

Twice he achieved the feat on two separate occasions with two different clubs, Birmingham City and Hull City.

His links to the blue half of the Second City were quickly forgotten as Villa fans soon warmed to Bruce, but the recent defeat at Reading led to boos from the away end with their much-fancied team languishing on one point from their first three matches.

Since then, Villa have responded with eight goals in two games to underline their credentials as promotion contenders. History would suggest they have the right man in place to bring that promise to fruition.

STAR MAN: CONOR HOURIHANE

Lee Johnson’s captain in their time together at Barnsley, the City boss will not be surprised to see his former skipper flourishing in claret and blue.

Previously on the books of Sunderland and Ipswich Town, Hourihane established himself as a goalscoring midfielder at Plymouth Argyle in League Two.

His reputation grew further at Barnsley, where he became the leader of a young team that achieved a Wembley double in 2015/16, tasting victory in the finals of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and League One play-offs.

Having completed his rise through the EFL, Hourihane became a standout performer in the Championship and inevitably attracted interest from bigger clubs.

Enter Villa, who witnessed the Irishman’s first career hat-trick against Norwich City last weekend.

MEMORABLE MEETING: 1978/79

BRISTOL CITY 1-0 ASTON VILLA
Rodgers 66

City continue their encouraging start to their third year back in the First Division as David Rodgers’ second-half header secures victory at Ashton Gate.

A developing Villa team, European Cup winners three seasons later, are overrun by a City side playing with more fluency than in previous years.

Manager Alan Dicks hands a debut to teenage winger Howard Pritchard, who provides the cross for Rodgers to head home City’s winner in the 66th minute.

It would prove a successful year for Dicks’ side, who defeat both Manchester United and Liverpool en route to finishing 13th in the top flight. It remains City’s highest league position for more than a century.

Bristol City: Shaw, Gillies, Rodgers, Hunter, Whitehead, Pritchard, Sweeney, Tainton, Mann, Ritchie, Royle.

Aston Villa: Rimmer, Gidman, McNaught, Mortimer, Smith, Shelton (Shaw), Evans, Little, Carrodus, Cowans, Gregory.

Attendance: 23,881.

AND FINALLY...

Officials
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Assistant Referees: Nick Greenhalgh and Akil Howson
Fourth Official: Stephen Martin

Betting (via Sky Bet)
City 7/5
Draw 23/10
Villa 19/10