Aston Villa V Birmingham at Villa Park : Match Preview

21 April 2017 12:36

Jonathan Kodjia suspended for Aston Villa

Aston Villa will be without leading scorer Jonathan Kodjia against fierce rivals Birmingham as he serves a one-game suspension.

Kodjia was sent off for violent conduct at Fulham on Easter Monday but his ban was reduced on appeal and he will be available for the last two games of the season.

Boss Steve Bruce will monitor the fitness of Gabby Agbonlahor and Neil Taylor.

Forward Agbonlahor has been sidelined for three months with a torn hamstring, while Wales international full-back Taylor has missed the last two games with a groin strain.

Harry Redknapp faces a tough baptism of fire in his first game as Birmingham boss.

Redknapp took charge of Blues on an initial short-term deal to replace Gianfranco Zola who resigned following Monday's 2-0 defeat at home to relegation rivals Burton.

Adam Legzdins will deputise for Tomasz Kuszczak if the Birmingham goalkeeper fails to recover from the knock which forced him off at half-time against the Brewers.

Striker Lukas Jutkiewicz recovered from a hamstring injury to play 90 minutes on Monday and should keep his place.




Source: PAR