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

[Beefymcfc]

Thank the Lord, City are back. Looking forward to this one and can't wait to set off, Disco Pants and City shirt ironed, this game could see us clear at the top of the table.


If you've not seen it, [urlnp=http://mancityfans.net/news/]Here's BT's fine Preview of the game [/urlnp]- 4-0 though, are you sure!!!


And a few bits from the Beeb - I love my stats me:

TEAM NEWS

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is close to fitness after a groin muscle injury but he will not be risked against Aston Villa.

But fellow forward Mario Balotelli has overcome a back problem and midfielder Owen Hargreaves is in contention to make his league debut.

Villa's top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor has recovered from a back complaint.

Midfielders Stephen Ireland and Barry Bannan and defender James Collins are also expected to be fit and available.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

The Villans last won at City in April 2007 - a 2-0 victory from Martin O'Neill's men, with goals from John Carew and Shaun Maloney, putting Stuart Pearce's struggling team to the sword. City had won the previous five Premier League fixtures between them - the longest stretch of dominance between the clubs in their 112-year history of league meetings.

Villa's biggest victory at City was a 6-1 win in 1911, while City's biggest win at home against Villa was a 5-0 triumph in 1935.

Manchester City

Roberto Mancini's City have now gone 30 league and cup matches without a goalless draw - and 53 matches since back-to-back losses.

Samir Nasri has provided six assists in his five Premier League matches for Manchester City. He failed to provide any assists in his last 25 league matches for Arsenal.

Belgian defender Vincent Kompany will be making his 100th start for Manchester City, while former Aston Villa midfielder James Milner could make his 50th City appearance.

Manchester City have yet to concede a Premier League goal at home this season.

Aston Villa

Though Villa are unbeaten, they are yet to win away from home this season - and rank just 12th out of the Premier League's 20 teams for their away form.

Villa have had 27 shots on target this season - equal-fewest in the Premier League with Stoke.

Darren is Bent has scored six Premier League goals in the city of Manchester since the start of the 2005-06 season - more goals by an away player at Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium combined than any other player in the division. He has scored three league goals at each of these stadiums, including twice in Tottenham's 2-1 victory at Manchester City in November 2008.

Referee: Young Anthony Taylor - Had some howlers lately.

[King Kev]

Does anybody know who the ref is today?

[Beefymcfc]

Does anybody know who the ref is today?

I knew I missed something. Edited for accuracy.

[guv111]

The more the morning progresses, the more nervous I'm feeling. These bloody international breaks can ruin the development of a side in its early stages of bonding, and some of our players will almost certainly be rusty from not having played a competitive 90 minutes for two sodding weeks.

Come on City, let's see some of that early season adventure and flair!

[Beefymcfc]

The more the morning progresses, the more nervous I'm feeling. These bloody international breaks can ruin the development of a side in its early stages of bonding, and some of our players will almost certainly be rusty from not having played a competitive 90 minutes for two sodding weeks.

Come on City, let's see some of that early season adventure and flair!

I don't know about rusty, I think we had 16 players on International duty with over half playing.

But as you say, 'Come On City'!!!

[guv111]

The more the morning progresses, the more nervous I'm feeling. These bloody international breaks can ruin the development of a side in its early stages of bonding, and some of our players will almost certainly be rusty from not having played a competitive 90 minutes for two sodding weeks.

Come on City, let's see some of that early season adventure and flair!

I don't know about rusty, I think we had 16 players on International duty with over half playing.

But as you say, 'Come On City'!!!

Really looking forward to it, though! And there's no better feeling than relaxing on MCF after a good win and reading the match thread with a few drinks to hand. This last international break was Football Death.

[lets all have a disco]

3-1 today people hope I see a Dunne OG.

[Beefymcfc]

The more the morning progresses, the more nervous I'm feeling. These bloody international breaks can ruin the development of a side in its early stages of bonding, and some of our players will almost certainly be rusty from not having played a competitive 90 minutes for two sodding weeks.

Come on City, let's see some of that early season adventure and flair!

I don't know about rusty, I think we had 16 players on International duty with over half playing.

But as you say, 'Come On City'!!!

Really looking forward to it, though! And there's no better feeling than relaxing on MCF after a good win and reading the match thread with a few drinks to hand. This last international break was Football Death.

I do exactly the same mate, well worth a read afterwards.

Be good to see Dunney, Shay and Stevie Superpants again, they should get a good reception.

[King Kev]

Referee: Young Anthony Taylor - Had some howlers lately.

Never heard of him! Is he new?

[Ted Hughes]

3-1 today people hope I see a Dunne OG.

Just for old time's sake.

[Moonchesteri]

FINALLY.
It seems like ages when I last saw us play (missed the Blackburn game as I was on a cruise on the Baltic Sea)

Will be interesting to see the line-up. Hoping for an early goal for us to take off some pressure

[MR IMAINEROAD]

I missed blackburn game as I was on a cruise in the Baltic sea...

Moonchester?
Which ship?

[aaron bond]

Referee: Young Anthony Taylor - Had some howlers lately.

Never heard of him! Is he new?

Is his first name Young? Or is he Anthony Taylor Young? Or is he just Anthony Taylor who happens to be young?

I'm confused...

[Moonchesteri]

#MCFC team to face #AVFC: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, De Jong, Barry, Johnson, Yaya, Milner, Balotelli Subs TBC

I was hoping for a stronger side... bit worried now. Not gonna be easy

Hopefully AJ & Balo can spark that bit of magic to give us three points.

Come on City!!

[bluej]

Hope Dave is on the bench, got a feeling he might need to come on.

[Mase]

I don't think Dzeko is every going to moan about being subbed ever again!!!

[bigblue]

#MCFC team to face #AVFC: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, De Jong, Barry, Johnson, Yaya, Milner, Balotelli Subs TBC

I was hoping for a stronger side... bit worried now. Not gonna be easy

Hopefully AJ & Balo can spark that bit of magic to give us three points.

Come on City!!

Good pick, great to see de Jong back. Guess yaya will be playing in a more attacking role, which is fun to watch. Balo def getting a few goals today. Also think Barry and Milner will be up for it today

[Crossie]

Personally I think its fucking stupid to play 1 striker against one of the strongest defenses in the league. Maybe we are trying to bring them out onto us and spank them on the break.

All it needs now is a Dunney stormer and Ireland to remember how good he was for 38 games 3 years ago, and we're on the ropes.

Come on Balo, big big responsibility on your today mate.

[carl_feedthegoat]

1 up front at home against a very strong defence?????

Not good.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Come on City!!!