MAN CITY v Aston Villa: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team
16 Nov
After a stirring comeback against Spurs, full of character and self-belief, City play host to Aston Villa as the Blues look to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League this season. It has been a steady start from Roberto Mancini’s side, improving gradually but not quite at their enthralling best, and it is testament to the spirit and togetherness in the squad that City lie only two points off the top and have yet to be beaten.
Despite the relative struggles in the Champions League, City have been good enough domestically to defeat sides even when not at their best, and few would bet against the Blues recording another victory against Aston Villa on Saturday. The visitors lie just one place above the relegation zone although there is a growing sense of optimism about the way in which Paul Lambert is blooding youngsters, and they came close to inflicting a shock defeat on Manchester United last weekend.
William Hill have some excellent odds for this match: Mario Balotelli to score the first goal and City to win 4-1 is hugely tempting at 56/1 whilst Vincent Kompany to score the only goal of the game is 136/1.
In terms of team selection, Roberto Mancini, with Pablo Zabaleta having played 90 minutes for Argentina during the week, may opt to hand Maicon a start after the Brazilian impressed as a substitute against Spurs, whilst Joleon Lescott is pushing Matija Nastasic for a place alongside Vincent Kompany. Aleks Kolarov’s greater attacking threat may get him the nod ahead of Gael Clichy.
In midfield, Javi Garcia will hope to start whilst James Milner is available again and will no doubt want to feature against his former club. With the Champions League encounter with Real Madrid just around the corner, Mancini may opt to rest Gareth Barry, and with players returning from injury, the midfield battle for places has intensified.
Mario Balotelli impressed once again for Italy when given the responsibility to lead the line and he must be in consideration to start bearing in mind his terrific goalscoring record against Aston Villa, having scored six goals in four games against the Villains. Edin Dzeko will hope to be given the opportunity from the start but Sergio Aguero, like Zabaleta, played the full game for Argentina and is likely to be named on the bench.
Here is the side Roberto Mancini could select:
Aston Villa are languishing just above the relegation zone but have started to play some bright football in recent matches. With Christian Benteke, the powerful young Belgian striker, leading the line and former City man Stephen Ireland given the freedom to create, they look dangerous on the counter-attack although their inexperienced defence will face a battle to control our attacking stars.
Paddy Power are offering new customers a FREE £25 bet. They have plenty of specials for City’s fixture against Aston Villa, with David Silva to score the first goal of the game tempting at 6/1. Click here to open an account and claim your FREE £25 bet!
Referee: Jon Moss – This will be the first time he has ever officiated a Premier League game involving City.
Prediction: MAN CITY 4 – 1 Aston Villa - City have an excellent recent record against Villa and at some point soon, with the chances being created, a side will be on the receiving end of a thumping. Goals to be scored by Carlos Tévez, Edin Dzeko, a brace from Mario Balotelli and Christian Benteke.
I cant believe you’ve finally backed a player to score 2 goals. When i saw a 4-1 prediction i was ready to see 4 different goal scorers