***City vs Villa Official Match Thread***

[nottsblue]

Three points.

Should have been easier in the last 15 minutes but we held firm. Important to bounce back after last weeks result and then the bombshell in midweek. And we did.

Sets us up nicely for the Arsenal game with the incentive to reclaim top spot. A good day's work overall

[sheblue]

Great 3 points but we will most certainly need to put more emphasis on the defending side of things next Wednesday. Fully expect Ake at left back.

[Original Dub]

Ok, I'll put my money where my mouth is.

I think we're going to win the league.

I also think it's going to happen on the last day again

[Harry Dowd scored]

Ok, I'll put my money where my mouth is.

I think we're going to win the league.

I also think it's going to happen on the last day again

I would be happy to get to the final day with a chance of winning again.

[Mase]

Pep take note -

[johnny crossan]

5 consecutive away games in February now - Arsenal, Forest, Leipzig, Bournemouth, Bristol - tough fixtures

[Mase]

”Erling has a kick and we will see,” Guardiola said. “We will assess him in the next few days to see how severe it is.

“At half-time I spoke with the doctors to see and they said maybe at 3-0 we don't need to take a risk and I agreed with the doctors.

“If the score was more tight maybe I wouldn't do it. I think he’s not injured but tomorrow we will see. Hopefully he can play there on Wednesday. If he’s not ready or it’s a risk he’s not going to play.”

Meanwhile, Dias was replaced after picking up a yellow card with Guardiola not wanting to risk a second with Villa’s threat on the counter-attack.

The Portuguese international was making his first City start since playing at the World Cup after working his way back to full fitness and should be in contention to face the Gunners.

“Ruben [was substituted] because it was a yellow card,” the boss said. “Of course, he was disappointed but unfortunately he got a yellow card - I don’t know why but it is what it is.

“With [Ollie] Watkins and [Leon] Bailey they have good runners in behind so we decide to not take risks with the score at 3-0.”

[zuricity]

5 consecutive away games in February now - Arsenal, Forest, Leipzig, Bournemouth, Bristol - tough fixtures

Yep Ashton Gate is a dragons den. Norman "Bite yer legs" Ghost blows though the midfield.

[Dimples]

Diaz booked because of his reaction to the ref when De Bruyne was tackled by Luiz.
Fernandez constantly in the refs and linesman face, never gets booked.
Pep said he had no idea why Diaz was booked. Good man Pep, keep calling it out.

At least we know what to expect against Arsenal.
Don't want your CBs or midfielders on yellow cards with Saka and Co. running at you.

This is the stuff Pep was referring to when he said, to win we have to be perfect.

[london blue 2]

Diaz booked because of his reaction to the ref when De Bruyne was tackled by Luiz.
Fernandez constantly in the refs and linesman face, never gets booked.
Pep said he had no idea why Diaz was booked. Good man Pep, keep calling it out.

At least we know what to expect against Arsenal.
Don't want your CBs or midfielders on yellow cards with Saka and Co. running at you.

This is the stuff Pep was referring to when he said, to win we have to be perfect.

Sky started explaining some “three man” rule about surrounding the ref? Never heard it mentioned before.

[ruralblue]

Diaz booked because of his reaction to the ref when De Bruyne was tackled by Luiz.
Fernandez constantly in the refs and linesman face, never gets booked.
Pep said he had no idea why Diaz was booked. Good man Pep, keep calling it out.

At least we know what to expect against Arsenal.
Don't want your CBs or midfielders on yellow cards with Saka and Co. running at you.

This is the stuff Pep was referring to when he said, to win we have to be perfect.

Sky started explaining some “three man” rule about surrounding the ref? Never heard it mentioned before.

One of them rules that only applies to us. How many times have you seen three or more of the Dippers or Rags surrounding the ref and nothing done?

[Original Dub]

Fair play, 3 points even with some more new Premier league rules.

Who looks after the officiating by the way?
Is the institution that is trying to put us out of business?

[Harry Dowd scored]

Fair play, 3 points even with some more new Premier league rules.

Who looks after the officiating by the way?
Is the institution that is trying to put us out of business?

It will be interesting to see how the Arsenal game is officiated, might give a clue to the remainder of the season.

[Original Dub]

Fair play, 3 points even with some more new Premier league rules.

Who looks after the officiating by the way?
Is the institution that is trying to put us out of business?

[patrickblue]

Only just got back, and haven't looked at this thread, but just in case it hasn't been posted, here's the new version of the Mancini song, invented by some clever sod halfway through the first half.

Mancini, oh, oh etc
He comes from Italy.
We pay him secretly.

Fair pissed myself at that.

[patrickblue]

Also, Mahrez seems to be that man for corners from the left.
The three he took in the first half were brilliant.
Admittedly, the one he took in the second half is one of the worst efforts I've ever seen, but hey ho.

[sheblue]

5 consecutive away games in February now - Arsenal, Forest, Leipzig, Bournemouth, Bristol - tough fixtures

Sometimes I think we play better when we have games in quick succession, maybe it's that there is less time to think about it too much.

[Tokyo Blue]

Diaz booked because of his reaction to the ref when De Bruyne was tackled by Luiz.
Fernandez constantly in the refs and linesman face, never gets booked.
Pep said he had no idea why Diaz was booked. Good man Pep, keep calling it out.

At least we know what to expect against Arsenal.
Don't want your CBs or midfielders on yellow cards with Saka and Co. running at you.

This is the stuff Pep was referring to when he said, to win we have to be perfect.

Sky started explaining some “three man” rule about surrounding the ref? Never heard it mentioned before.

And you certainly won't hear it mentioned when the muenchner are playing. In the unlikely event that they don't get what they ask for, of course.

[PeterParker]

I understand there is a new Manchester City rule in the Premier league. Only the third penalty claim is given, no matter what.

[s1ty m]

I've seen Akanji look reasonably solid in some games but sadly what he was like yesterday when he came on explains why he was a sub at Dortmund. Ponderous would be a kind description. I've wondered why others have mentioned him as a weakness, yesterday was an example of why.

I thought Mahrez was dreadful.