Aston Villa face do-or-die encounter with Cardiff

Aston Villa’s chances of winning automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship look set to disappear if they cannot topple second-placed Cardiff at Villa Park.

Steve Bruce’s men crashed to a 3-1 defeat at Norwich on Saturday, meaning they failed to make ground on Cardiff following the Bluebirds’ 1-0 home defeat to Wolves less than 24 hours earlier.

Bruce looks unlikely to make major changes, with Jonathan Kodjia seemingly set for another appearance off the bench.

And there will be little time for Villa to recover, whatever the outcome against Cardiff, as they face Leeds in another key Championship clash on Friday.

Cardiff’s biggest battle could be a mental one as they look to pick themselves up after missing two stoppage-time penalties that cost them dearly against Wolves.

Midfielders Aaron Gunnarson and Callum Paterson are set to be involved – Gunnarson is continuing his comeback from injury and Paterson took a blow to his chest in the Wolves game.

And Bluebirds manager Neil Warnock could decide on a recall for Joe Ralls, who is returning to full fitness and might get an opportunity against Villa.

Cardiff are nine points behind Wolves, but two ahead of in-form Fulham with a game in hand.