Seeing there's no Match Preview I thought I'd throw in the Beeb's.
-----------------------
TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa pair James Collins and Marc Albrighton are available after injury but manager Alex McLeish has intimated that they will not start on Sunday.
Gabby Agbonlahor remains a doubt with back and hamstring problems.
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.
“Aston Villa have the makings of a decent side. Not top six, probably, but not bottom six either”
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 them, but should they drop more away points they may feel their loss has been crucial.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
•Manchester City have won four of their last five league and cup games against Aston Villa, but those victories all came on home turf.
•City have failed to win their last four matches at Villa Park (D2, L2). Their last win there was in November 2006, when Darius Vassell, Joey Barton and Sylvain Distin were on target in a 3-1 win.
•A debut goal from Darren Bent gave Villa a 1-0 victory in this fixture last season.
Aston Villa
•The Villans have drawn their last two home games, having lost the previous four. Their last win at Villa Park was a 3-2 victory against Norwich on 5 November.
•If Villa fail to win, it will be their longest run in the Premier League without a home win.
•Alex McLeish's side are the only team not to have scored from a corner routine in the Premier League this season. They have conceded 10 goals from corners.
•They have kept one clean sheet in their last 13 league and cup games (against Stoke on Boxing Day).
•If he plays, James Collins will make the 200th league appearance of his career.
Manchester City
•City have claimed five points from their last six away league games (W1, D2, L3).
•They have only scored one goal in their last four top-flight matches away from Eastlands.
•Sergio Aguero has yet to score a Manchester City goal outside of either Manchester or London.
•If he plays, former Villa player James Milner will make the 300th league appearance of his career.
•City have scored 11 Premier League goals from corners this season - more than any other side.
-----------------------------
Come On City!!!
The mancityfans.net football forum
The BEST FORUM in all the land and all the world
