Villa starting line-up
Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Baker, Bertrand, Westwood, Delph, El Ahmadi, Weimann, Bowery
Lambert on City clash
“They’re really strong, but so are Chelsea and Liverpool. We’ll go there in a lot better state than we were in before the win over Hull, that’s for sure.
“You’re glad the results have gone your way and it’s over and finished with so you can go there with the shackles off and the pressure not on.
“You’re going to have to run a lot and work really hard without the ball, but you’re not going just to make up the numbers. You’re going to try to win.”
Pellegrini on Villa
“We have to win the game against Aston Villa; then at the end of the week, we will see which team has more points.
“We will prepare exactly the same as we have done in all the games during the year. The next game is always the most important.”
Form is Temporary
Memory match:
25th September 2012 Manchester City 2 Aston Villa 4
A cup win that came at a time when we were very much in need of some sort of boost – including an own goal from Gareth Barry of all people!
Man City – Last five matches at home: W 4, D 1
Villa – Last five matches away: D 1, L 4
Villa have lost the last five league games at the Etihad.
One to Watch
Yaya Toure – has proven to be the star man for Man City this season, despite new signings, and with him playing they always look likely to pick up three points.
Facts to Sweep Under the Carpet
Despite a vital home win, there’s nothing to suggest even the best performance will be enough against a team charging towards the title. Complacency is always a risk for the title-chasing teams (see Liverpool the other night!) but the stats are worrying. Manchester City have won 10 of their last 11 home games against Villa in the league, while Villa have only taken two points from their last seven away games! The pressure is off now at least, but it does look like a damage limitation job might be in order on Wednesday night – Manchester City have scored 57 home goals whereas we have scored 39 – both home and away!
What We Pray the Football Gods Will Provide
There will be no room to relax on Wednesday, despite being safe from relegation. All we can probably hope for is a good performance that hints at good things for next season – whatever the situation is. It was difficult not to admire the work of Jordan Bowery against Hull, who generally impressed as he was thrown into the deep end early in the game, and is likely to start on Wednesday. Another good performance from him and more of Callum Robinson getting involved would be a good sight. Lets hope we give a good account of ourselves against the potential champions.
Why Villa have got this game in the bag
There’s a danger with expecting to win and this was seen when we beat City in the cup last season. After bad results for Liverpool and Chelsea, Pellegrini’s men might be seeing this game as a formality. The sense of panic that always seems to cause errors in Villa’s back line should hopefully have diminished now. Encouragingly, six of Villa’s last seven goals have come before half-time, so a quick goal could help silence the Etihad early on. To do the double ovr Manchester City would certainly make up for being doubled ourselves by the likes of Fulham and Crystal Palace. UTV.
MOMS Tip
If you’re not signed up with Paddy Power already, bet £10 (on City) and you’ll get a free £20 bet, which you might as well put on a Villa win! It’s 15/1 on Paddy Power at the moment, while you can get a little bit better else where, you’ll have a no risk £20 on it! Sign-up here – Paddy/MOMS offer Plus, if City do win, you’ll get your £10 back…with a few extra pence.
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