MAN CITY v Aston Villa: The PREVIEW – City’s Probable Team

Fancy a flutter? City to win 4-0 is very tempting at 15/1, whilst a Mario Balotelli hattrick, just like last season, has the fantastic odds of 26/1. In addition, Balotelli to score first and City to win 2-1 is 33/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.

After what seems like an eternity, we’re back in action. It has been just two weeks since we defeated Blackburn but with the Carlos Tévez situation dragging on and international football taking over, it feels much longer than that. But we’re back and play host to Aston Villa. This fixture is the first of three vital matches coming up, followed as it is by the Champions League tie with Villarreal and then the mouth-watering derby in just over a week’s time.

Those two games have the potential to overshadow this one, but it’s imperative we retain our focus against the Villains. We  need to maintain our superb start to the season and head into the next pile of fixtures confident and ready to perform to our best. It won’t be easy but we have an impressive record against our visitors on Saturday and the victory should be forthcoming.

Roberto Mancini will pray that none of his international stars return from their countries’ matches with injuries but whatever the situation, he may wish to make a few changes in order to keep the team fresh. Sergio Aguero is likely to be out for this match but will return against Villarreal, but Mario Balotelli, despite missing Italy’s fixtures with a back injury, is fit enough to start.

David Silva, outstanding for Spain against Scotland during the week, may be rested for the upcoming games, whilst Owen Hargreaves is pushing for his first Premier League start, possibly alongside the returning Nigel De Jong. The battle for midfield places has intensified now that duo is ready to fight for a starting berth, and James Milner, Yaya Touré and Gareth Barry will all have to be on their toes.

Here is the side Mancini could select:

Saturday will see the return to the Etihad Stadium of Shay Given, who is relishing actually playing football these days. Fantastic for us for eighteen months, he was back-up to Joe Hart last season but will be looking to display his abundant quality and show us what we’re missing. Former City captain Richard Dunne will also return and he normally puts in an heroic performance against us, whilst Stephen Ireland, that most mysterious of footballers, will hope to start.

Referee: Anthony Taylor – Up-and-coming but I fear this is too big a match for him at this stage of his career.

Prediction: MAN CITY 2 – 1 Aston Villa – I think we’ll have plenty of possession and chances, but will only manage a brace, whilst Gabby Agbonlahor’s takes Villa’s one opportunity and makes it tense. City’s goals to be scored by Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko.

Fancy a flutter? City to win 4-0 is very tempting at 15/1, whilst a Mario Balotelli hattrick, just like last season, has the fantastic odds of 26/1. In addition, Balotelli to score first and City to win 2-1 is 33/1. Feel confident that you can predict the outcome? Got an instinct who will score first? Click HERE to bet on the game.