Jedinak ready to go extra Mile for Villa

Trips to Bristol City have been among the rarest over recent decades, with tomorrow's game the first competitive fixture since Gary Shaw netted the only goal in a third round FA Cup tie, way back in January 1982.

The last league meeting, meanwhile, was in December 1979, when Shaw was again the match-winner, hitting a hat-trick in a 3-1 win.

Two years previously, club photographer Terry Weir captured one of the most iconic images associated with Villa at Ashton Gate when he snapped Brian Little, mid-air, while scoring a scissor kick in a 1-1 draw.

Whether tomorrow's game provides an image quite so vivid remains to be seen, yet it will certainly be a memorable occasion for midfielder Mile Jedinak, who is poised to make his claret and blue debut.

The Australian had to watch last weekend's 0-0 draw at Derby from the stands while he waited for the requisite visa paperwork to be completed following a £4million move from Crystal Palace.

"Hopefully I get some game time on Saturday," he said. "So far it has all been good. I've been welcomed with open arms from everybody here.

"There is a great deal of positivity going on here and you need that element of positivity to overturn what went on last year.

"I think the boys have done really well over the last few weeks."

For Villa, tomorrow's game offers the chance to end the first portion of the season on a high and further bolster optimism levels which have risen steadily following a flurry of signings and and a notable improvement on the pitch perhaps deserving of more than a haul of five points from the last three games.

Yet Jedinak knows they are unlikely to have it all their own way against a Bristol City team who boss Roberto Di Matteo believes could be surprise promotion contenders.

"It'll be a tough game," he said. "Having played there a couple of times in my past, I know how difficult it can be.

"It's important, but not pivotal we get a win. It's a long season, we are only five games in.

"Every game is important and it's always important to try and get three points because you want to go into a break with a positive result."

Jedinak's personality has the no-nonsense edge which has come to define his playing style and you sense if there is any serious talking to do, he'll do it on the pitch. He admits, however, to having been 'blown away' by the size of Villa and is determined to play his part in a renaissance.

"It's going to be a great challenge for this football club and hopefully we can produce something special this season," he said. "For me it's just about trying to integrate as quickly as I can. The goal is more as a collective rather than an individual for me.

"It's trying to provide a bit of knowledge and assistance to my team-mates in order for us to try and excel as a team."