MAN CITY v Aston Villa – The PREVIEW: City’s Probable Team
6 May
It’s in our hands. With two games to go – two home games that tease with what should, on paper at least, be sweeping home victories – hopes of reclaiming the Premier League title burn strongly. Following Liverpool’s remarkable collapse last night against Crystal Palace, the pressure has been relieved to some extent but we know more than most not to relax. Aston Villa can be dangerous, their unpredictability leading to the occasional shock, but should we display similar levels of grit as on our travels in the past couple of games, the three points will be ours and we can look forward moving that one tantalising step closer.
Aleks Kolarov will replace Gael Clichy on the left of defence, his attacking thrust a potential weapon with which to break down the visitors. Javi Garcia is expected to drop to the bench with Fernandinho’s energy and dynamism likely to be recalled, whilst Sergio Aguero’s absence could lead to an opportunity for Alvaro Negredo, Stevan Jovetic or the fit-again Jesus Navas.
Here is the side Pellegrini could select:
Referee: Michael Oliver.
Prediction: MAN CITY 3 – 0 Aston Villa – There is the sense that this is a determined squad, a group of now together players who will battle with all their strength to top the league. Throw in the return of David Silva and there will be a greater attacking fluency to our play. An early goal and this should be quite a comfortable win. I’m predicting goals to be scored by Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri and Alvaro Negredo.
Personally I would go with a 5 man midfield with Milner and Nasri the wide men and Silva Toure and Fernandinho in the middle with the Brazilian the deepest of the 3 and the magician just behind the striker.
Dzeko has to start, Negredo on the other hand is way out of form in front of goal, Jovetic looks a good player but would be a bit strange and maybe a little risky to choose now as the time for him to start.
I can see where you are coming from BB but Pellers is a 442 man so we have to expect that. Do we need to risk Merlin? He was well off the pace when he came on against Everton and why not start Jove? He has looked the business when he has come on and a bit of encouragement wouldn’t go amiss.
As for Negredo, you have to play to turn things around. I’d go along with VfaB’s back four and DMF’s but play Naz and Jove in the playmaking roles, Dzekers and Beast upfront.
Merlin in reserve is never a bad option to have.
4-0 pour moi
Alph
I agree with Pelligrini being a 442 man, and along with the players he is the one that has got us here so who am I to argue. I know what youre saying about Negredo; and for the greater good he would have to play to turn it around but I would argue with 2 games to play you have to play the form players. As for Merlin I believe he is something close to a manifestation of God on a football field so I would always say start but youre most definitely right in terms of would be a great sub if needed.
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“but I would argue with 2 games to play you have to play the form players. As for Merlin I believe he is something close to a manifestation of God on a football field”
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Well you won’t find too many City fans disagreeing with that, not me that’s for sure, and especially the last part!!
Most times, when we have played 4-4-2, we have struggled. Pellers should play 4-5-1. Pair Fernandinho with Garcia, push Yaya forward and play with Dzeko as lone striker.
Yaya has scored 23 goals so far and have had numerous assists. It defies logic to play such player deep as DM.
Garcia for Fernandinho since their midfield is not so mobile as Everton.
HART
ZABALETA KOMPANY DEMICHELIS CLICHY
MILNER GARCIA TOURE NASRI
SILVA
DZEKO
Very disappointed that Sergio is unavailable, it does annoy me all this “injury” business, he did say he was OK, the story of his season’ who’s to say he won’t get injured after 5 mins of the first game of the world cup??, can players really think that they can “coast” through the season & be ready for Brazil??, its a fair question I think – we need him on the pitch – we pay him massive wages to be there for us, I was disappointed by the players using twitter after the pool game, I’m surprised that the club hasn’t put a stop to that, making comments on your rivals/players should be banned for 101 reasons, it achieves nothing… Looks & sounds childish were you leave yourself open to egg on your face..I.e grown men crying etc, etc’ sorry if I sound like a bit of a drip bluemooners… I’m a firm believer in not messing with karma/faith, we must stay “detached” from the nonsense, which is all meaningless anyway, if we didn’t know before – we know now that Every team is dangerous, villa have pace & power so we need to have our ” war face” on from the first second, like one of my hero’s Steve “celtic warrior” Collins against eubank… I like the way the gaffer is going about his business, nothing is over – this is war, 180 minutes – no mercy – ice cold boys.
I agree with the second half of your post but if you believe Aguero has been feigning injury in some way so to save himself for the world cup then I think you are way off in my opinion.
Maybe if the first injury had occurred now I could understand but this has been all year and a player like Aguero I’m sure would love to be out there, he would want to be at the top of his game right now so to be at his best come summer; hes not stupid. It doesn’t matter how much you pay someone, a muscle injury is a muscle injury and you really shouldn’t play if they are torn
Fair enough blue bullet it just seems to have gone on forever, I’m the last person who’d want to knock that guy, with him motoring he’d have 45 goals for sure – I think I’m just really really really frustrated that we don’t have him on the pitch because we all know what an awesome player he is, if I sounded like I was accusing him of feigning injury well then I absolutely apologize & withdraw that remark.
No need to apologise Glenn, I love opinion that provokes debate. I am very much with you on the frustration side of things, he averages a goal every 80 minutes this season, the league would be over if he had stayed fit
I’m mystified on why Aguero tweet’d right after the Everton match “I left just as a precaution. Fortunately I’m fine, happy for the goal, the win and keeping our dream alive.” Then two days later, MP 100 percent convinced Kun isn’t going to play tomorrow. I’m probably wrong, but there could be some head games MP is playing a la Jose Mourinho. Clearly, it’s just a tweaked groin for Kun. This is a huge game. If I’m a competitor, I’m going to at least go thru warm-ups and try to play. If not, I say Dzeko as the lone striker and for goodness sakes, like Siamack says, push Yaya much more into the final third. And if you want to attack, then play Kolarov, NOT Clichy. People who think Clichy’s a better defender should watch the Everton game again. And watch the cross Kolarov put right on the head of Dzeko in the Southampton match. Kolarov brings way more to a big match and he’s got ice in his veins.
…sorry, above should read “Two days later, MP says Kun isn’t going to play tomorrow.” Meant to say I’m not convinced Kun isn’t going to play vs. Villa. Either way, City have more than enough talent to win if they don’t start celebrating the trophy before it’s theirs.