Manchester City vs. Aston Villa - Match Preview

With The Red Devils poised for a tricky tie at Anfield, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini can’t help but think this could be the weekend they climb above their neighbours in the fight for the title.

By Darren Hunter / October 15, 2011

Roberto Mancini cant help but think this could be the weekend they climb above their neighbours in the fight for the title and a real chance for him personally to show his muscles. With Carlos (I only ever wanted to be loved) Tevez given a two week ASBO, Mancini now only has three sulky strikers to worry about, Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero. A home tie against Aston Villa could prove to be a welcome distraction as he looks for a big performance amidst the gloom of the Tevez saga and the challenge to his authority. The City faithful will be hoping for a comfortable win with one eye on their crunch tie with Villareal in the week ahead. However looking to take advantage of the cracks in the City windscreen before Autoglass turn up is Alex Mcleishs Aston Villa who take to the City of Manchester stadium in some solid form. One stat they share with Manchester City is that they are still unbeaten in the league thanks to five draws and two wins. With a solid back four and Darren Bent and Gabby Agbonlahor looking sharp in the forward line, Villa fans have had little to be displeased about after the ex-Birmingham managers swap across town. The Ashley Young sale to Manchester United could have also set of some alarms bells but the squad with a mix of both young and old have risen in stature and eased that early season tension.

Team News:

Both managers will be mighty relieved to come through the international break unscathed. For City, Balotelli was doubtful but seems to have recovered just in time (as long as he can get his bib on) with both Dzeko and Sami Nasri both scoring on their retrospective international duties and bringing some good form into Saturdays game but with one eye on Villareal in the week Mancini may look to rest some key players. Apart from the absence of James Collins, Mcleish has a healthy squad to choose from. Darren Bent comes back from International duty with another goal to his name.

Probable line ups:

Man City from: Hart, Kompany, Zabaleta, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, Barry, Silva, Y.Toure, Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko, Nasri, Savic, Clichy, Pantilimon, De Jong. Aston Villa from: Given, Hutton, Warnock, Dunne, Ireland, Delph, Petrov, Bannan, Bent, Agbonlahor, Guzan, Albrighton, Heskey, NZogbia, Weimann, Clark, Herd. A Point to prove: Shay Given- With Joe Hart exceptional in goal last season poor old Shay didnt get a look in at City. Be sure to be sure that he will be looking to prove a point on Saturday, as long as his defence dont let him down. Prediction: 3-1 A city win to the chants of Are you watching? Are you watching? Are you watching Carlos Tevez?