City looking to continue their impressive form
By Alex Mason
Manchester City should be sky high with confidence after winning their first game in the Champions League since 2011, and destroying local rivals Manchester United in the derby last week.
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| City will be looking to build on their 12 goals in the last three games Photo: Official MCFC Facebook |
This weekend, they take on Aston Villa - a team that the Blues love to play. City have defeated Villa 18 times in the Premier League, more than any other team in the league. The last time Villa beat City was in 2011, courtesy of a Darren Bent goal.
Much has changed since then though. City have won the League, surrendered their crown, and now they look as hungry as ever to retain the Premier League status as champions.
This weekend’s game will see City with one eye on their crucial Champions League tie with German Champions Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
Manuel Pellegrini will be without his creative spark David Silva; the Spaniard will miss a fifth successive match due to a thigh problem. Samir Nasri’s impressive performances will most likely see him keep his place in the team with Silva’s absence.
Full-backs Micah Richards and Gaël Clichy will be available for selection after they featured in the midweek demolishing of Wigan Athletic in the Capital One Cup.
For the hosts, City will be buoyed that Villa’s frontman Christian Benteke is ruled out injured. The Belgian is Villa’s top goal scorer and his absence will be sure to give City’s defence a breather on Saturday.
Villa will also be missing Ashley Westwood through a thigh strain, but Villa manager Paul Lambert will have Gabriel Agbonlahor, Fabian Delph, Ciaran Clark and Antonio Luna fit to face the Blues, after they were all rested in their midweek defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
My thoughts
This is a game that I always enjoy to watch. City usually play well at Villa Park, so I can see a win coming for The Blues on Saturday. With Benteke out injured, and City scoring for fun, I think it will be a very comfortable afternoon for City on Saturday.
Prediction: Villa 0-3 City
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