Aston Villa v Man City - Mancini on title push | English Premier League 2012
- 10 years ago
Aston Villa are hopeful that centre-back James Collins will be available on Sunday after missing the last three games with a calf problem.
Gabby Agbonlahor and Marc Albrighton could also return from injury.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany missed out last weekend with a knee problem but is expected to start.
Samir Nasri could play despite hurting his groin against Fulham, but City remain without Yaya and Kolo Toure and Mario Balotelli, who completes a ban.
MATCH PREVIEW
It might have escaped the attention of neutrals, but it will not have gone unnoticed by Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson that Manchester City have won just two of their last nine games away from home in all competitions.
If Manchester United see off Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime, which is by no means a given, then Sir Alex will be very hopeful that Alex McLeish, an old friend from their Aberdeen days, can do the Red Devils a favour on Sunday afternoon.
There's a section of Aston Villa's support which will never accept McLeish, but I was impressed by their performance in the first half at Newcastle last weekend, when they could have put the game out of the Magpies' reach.
Any side with Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Stiliyan Petrov, Darren Bent and Robbie Keane should be treated with respect. Less consistent, but still to be reckoned with are Gabby Agbonlahor, Stephen Ireland, Alan Hutton and Marc Albrighton. For all their struggles, particularly at home, Villa have the makings of a decent side. Not top six, probably, but not bottom six either. That may or may not be enough for the Holte End faithful, but finishing any higher will take more investment than the owner seems willing to commit to.
After Sunday, City will be considerably strengthened by the return of Yaya Toure from the Africa Cup of Nations, possibly with a winner's medal in his case, while Mario Balotelli will have completed his four-match ban. If they can win at Villa they will feel they have coped reasonably well without t
Gabby Agbonlahor and Marc Albrighton could also return from injury.
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany missed out last weekend with a knee problem but is expected to start.
Samir Nasri could play despite hurting his groin against Fulham, but City remain without Yaya and Kolo Toure and Mario Balotelli, who completes a ban.
MATCH PREVIEW
It might have escaped the attention of neutrals, but it will not have gone unnoticed by Roberto Mancini and Sir Alex Ferguson that Manchester City have won just two of their last nine games away from home in all competitions.
If Manchester United see off Liverpool on Saturday lunchtime, which is by no means a given, then Sir Alex will be very hopeful that Alex McLeish, an old friend from their Aberdeen days, can do the Red Devils a favour on Sunday afternoon.
There's a section of Aston Villa's support which will never accept McLeish, but I was impressed by their performance in the first half at Newcastle last weekend, when they could have put the game out of the Magpies' reach.
Any side with Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Stiliyan Petrov, Darren Bent and Robbie Keane should be treated with respect. Less consistent, but still to be reckoned with are Gabby Agbonlahor, Stephen Ireland, Alan Hutton and Marc Albrighton. For all their struggles, particularly at home, Villa have the makings of a decent side. Not top six, probably, but not bottom six either. That may or may not be enough for the Holte End faithful, but finishing any higher will take more investment than the owner seems willing to commit to.
After Sunday, City will be considerably strengthened by the return of Yaya Toure from the Africa Cup of Nations, possibly with a winner's medal in his case, while Mario Balotelli will have completed his four-match ban. If they can win at Villa they will feel they have coped reasonably well without t