***Official: Villa v City Match Thread***

[Beefymcfc]

Fuck it, let's get it started.

Can't wait to see how we play and looking for similar to how we did away to Sevilla. I've even put Nacho in my FFT as I think he's got a part to play this afternoon.

Come on the Blues!!!

3-0.

[Beefymcfc]

From the Beeb.

TEAM NEWS

Aston Villa's Micah Richards returns after suspension, while Ashley Westwood should be available despite suffering a head injury at Tottenham.

Gabby Agbonlahor will be assessed after being forced off on Monday with a tight calf, while Idrissa Gana and Adama Traore may return after being rested.

Manchester City will not risk playmaker David Silva, who is close to a comeback following an ankle injury.

Kevin De Bruyne is set for a recall after being rested in midweek.

Kelechi Iheanacho is available after being ineligible for Wednesday's Champions League win against Sevilla.

Fit-again duo Fabian Delph and Gael Clichy were on the bench for that match and could feature, but Pablo Zabaleta, Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero remain out.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Bower: "If Remi Garde wasn't quite aware of the scale of the task ahead of him, he will have been left in little doubt watching from the stands at White Hart Lane on Monday.

"As Tim Sherwood discovered, it's a sizeable challenge to try to change the negative mentality that has affected Aston Villa for a number of years.

The new Villa boss will hope to install some confidence and belief in his young squad and avoid an eighth consecutive Premier League defeat.

Manchester City will be aware of the 'new manager' effect, but will be in good spirits after their impressive win in Seville this week - their seventh victory in eight games since losing 4-1 at Tottenham in September.


WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Aston Villa manager Remi Garde: "I'm not a dreamer or a magic man, I have strong ideas. I haven't the certainty we will stay in the Premier League because the situation we are in is difficult but I have a strong belief we will do it.

"Maybe that was why I stopped at Lyon - because you need strong energy for what I want to do - but now I think there are things I want to change.

"In football, things can change. If I didn't think I could change things I would have said 'No, this job is not for me', but I've got the hope that we can do it."

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "For me there are no easy games in the Premier League.

"They are at the bottom of the table with a new manager so the motivation to try not to be relegated will be high.

"It is very important to repeat what we did against Sevilla in the Champions League and not to think that because we played well in the last game we can do it in exactly the same way."

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

Manchester City have won seven of their last eight Premier League games against Aston Villa, scoring a total of 22 goals in those matches.

City have won more Premier League games (21) and scored more goals (68) versus Villa than against any other team.

Aston Villa

Defeat would see Villa lose eight successive Premier League matches for the first time in their history.

It is their worst league run since a club-record streak of 11 defeats from March to May 1963. That sequence ended with a 3-1 home win against Manchester City. Villa avoided relegation that season.

The Villans have claimed one point from their last six top-flight home games, failing to score in four of those matches.

Remi Garde will be the sixth different Frenchman to take charge of a Premier League game after Arsene Wenger, Gerard Houllier, Jean Tigana, Jacques Santini and Alain Perrin.

Manchester City

City have kept one clean sheet in their last six Premier League games after recording shut-outs in their first five matches.

They have allowed just 28 shots on target against them, fewer than any other team in the top flight this season.

Kevin De Bruyne has scored three goals and assisted four more in his last six Premier League appearances.

[Beefymcfc]

Does anybody feel we should have a pre-match thread as I find myself wanting to talk about the upcoming game but seem to do it piecemeal using other threads?

[nottsblue]

Does anybody feel we should have a pre-match thread as I find myself wanting to talk about the upcoming game but seem to do it piecemeal using other threads?

We could always use CuteMancs thread for that maybe?

[Nigels Tackle]

let's fuck these cunts up

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I think fernando will drop out for kdb and the rest stay as it is. Hope we play good football, the rest will follow.

[london blue 2]

LFTCU

[Slim]

Word from the ground, Yaya and Kompany both injured.

[stevefromdonny]

Play like we did on Tuesday and we will win, if the players think this is a easy game then we will have problems

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Word from the ground, Yaya and Kompany both injured.

Yaya, komps, silva and Aguero all out. Can we postpone then?

[Slim]

Word from the ground, Yaya and Kompany both injured.

Yaya, komps, silva and Aguero all out. Can we postpone then?

Yeah, but I'm lying.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Word from the ground, Yaya and Kompany both injured.

Yaya, komps, silva and Aguero all out. Can we postpone then?

Yeah, but I'm lying.

You awful man.

[Slim]

After Norwich I hope we realise that there are no gimmes in this league. Villa will be desperate and deep and narrow, could be 60 minutes before we wear them down enough to start poking holes in the defence.

[Chippy_Tea_]

Play like we did on Tuesday and we will win, if the players think this is a easy game then we will have problems

I agree, i don't think this will be the push over some are predicting as they will want to put on a good show for their new manager, having said that i cannot see us losing having watched the midweek game.

[South Stand Balti]

Does anybody feel we should have a pre-match thread as I find myself wanting to talk about the upcoming game but seem to do it piecemeal using other threads?

Yes. This should be opened as soon as the "current" game is over. The most important aspect of supporting a team is the game itself, but we don't get to talk about it until a few hours before kick off.

[Slim]

That's a good idea, we could even sticky it...my brother loves sticky threads.

[harveytravis]

Does anybody feel we should have a pre-match thread as I find myself wanting to talk about the upcoming game but seem to do it piecemeal using other threads?

I'll talk to you Beefy if no one else will!

I'm a cute 71 with short grey hair, slightly forgetful & have been supporting City since the 50s I enjoy short walks from my car to the football ground and arguing with the wife. My wish is for world peace and for CITY TO STOP GIVING ME FUCKING PALPITATIONS.

As for VILLA I still remember them fondly from the 1957 Cup Final which my dad let me listen to on the radio although today regretfully I hope Micah is upset with a heavy defeat.

Pleas please City score early so I can keep my sanity

PS I'd do a smiley face here if I knew how

[Tokyo Blue]

Excellent post, Mr. Travis. Welcome.

Some team news.

Hart, Sagna, Kompany (C), Otamendi, Kolarov, Fernando, Fernandinho, Toure, De Bruyne, Sterling, Bony

Subs: Caballero, Demichelis, Mangala, Clichy, Delph, Navas, Iheanacho

[Beefymcfc]

Does anybody feel we should have a pre-match thread as I find myself wanting to talk about the upcoming game but seem to do it piecemeal using other threads?

I'll talk to you Beefy if no one else will!

I'm a cute 71 with short grey hair, slightly forgetful & have been supporting City since the 50s I enjoy short walks from my car to the football ground and arguing with the wife. My wish is for world peace and for CITY TO STOP GIVING ME FUCKING PALPITATIONS.

As for VILLA I still remember them fondly from the 1957 Cup Final which my dad let me listen to on the radio although today regretfully I hope Micah is upset with a heavy defeat.

Pleas please City score early so I can keep my sanity

PS I'd do a smiley face here if I knew how

And you don't even sound senile :-)

Have we got a team sheet yet chaps/chapesses?

[Mase]

Tight on Navas. But I'm sure we'll do okay with that team. Bring Nacho on with more than 10 mins left though please!