Millers look to spring a surprise at Villa Park

ROTHERHAM United's players will be primed and ready to face an on-song Aston Villa side tonight.
Paul Warne and his staff celebrate Saturday's win against Derby.Paul Warne and his staff celebrate Saturday's win against Derby.
Paul Warne and his staff celebrate Saturday's win against Derby.

Millers boss Paul Warne isn't fooled by Villa's slow start which has seen them collect only two wins and four draws from their opening seven Championship games.

He expects Steve Bruce's to come through to claim a place in the top six like they did last year and knows they are extra difficult opponents in front of their big support at Villa Park.

"Performance wise, they've been pretty good," said Warne. "It's not like they've had a disastrous start, it's just that they're such a big club and expectation is high.

"Also, teams who lose in the play-off final often have a stuttering start. Look at Shrewsbury this year. Sometimes it does take a few weeks to get going.

"I have the upmost respect for Steve Bruce and you would expect Villa to finish in the top six. This league is difficult, if you play any team at their best then you are in massive trouble so hopefully we can catch Villa on an off day."

All the Rotherham team who turned in their best display of the season to beat Derby County on Saturday are fit and available for selection. Joe Newell, who has a hip problem, will travel but definitely won't start.

Warne's dilemma is whether to keep faith with the same XI or introduce some fresh legs.

"I'm pretty breezy on that one," he said. "One part of me thinks it would be nice to freshen it up, the other thinks after a team has won, do the players deserve to keep their shirts?

Steve Bruce...slow start with Aston Villa.

"At the moment I'm still juggling it and in fairness we have just come off an international break and the lads aren't desperate for a rest but I know a lot of our team put a lot of effort in on Saturday so I have to be wary of that as well.

"We've had a long chat and whatever happens we will try and take the game to Villa."

The Millers will travel down to the Midlands without an away win in 28 Championship away matches but the run surely has to end some time. Only a point separates Rotherham, in 14th, with Villa in 12th.

"Villa Park is the sort of place that players and fans should want to go to," added Warne. "It is a tough fixture but also an exciting one.

"Every win is a big win for us. We are difficult to play against and the way the players are performing for this town and this club at the moment is pretty admirable."

Kick-off is 7.45pm.