Aston Villa vs Bristol City - Leandro Bacuna banned for Aston Villa

Posted Monday, February 27, 2017 by PA

Aston Villa midfielder Leandro Bacuna will begin his three-match ban against Bristol City.

Bacuna confronted an assistant referee and appeared to make contact with the match official as he contested a decision during Saturday's 1-0 home win over Derby, leading to him being sent off.

Fellow midfielders Conor Hourihane and Mile Jedinak are injury doubts. Hourihane was absent at the weekend with a dead leg while Jedinak played against the Rams in what was only his second appearance after a month out and he may now need some recovery time.

Boss Steve Bruce has one or two other players feeling the effects of a heavy schedule and may make some changes, with the fit-again James Bree perhaps coming in to make his home debut.

Bristol City are again short on strikers as they attempt to pull clear of relegation trouble.

Top scorer Tammy Abraham remains sidelined, with Robins boss Lee Johnson planning to put a call into Chelsea for an update on the loan signing's thigh problem.

Bosnia international Milan Djuric is also likely to be ruled out again with the groin injury he suffered in last week's home defeat to Fulham.

So veteran Aaron Wilbraham stands by for another rare start after scoring in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Newcastle.