Article

Premier League preview: Manchester City v Aston Villa

15 November 2012 13:17

Manchester City host Aston Villa in the English Premier League on Saturday in what shapes as a danger game for Roberto Mancini's side.

City are two points behind leaders Manchester United on the league table and a win this week would see them keep pace with the Red Devils.

But City, who play an important Champions League match against Real Madrid next week and go up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on November 25, must be careful not to overlook their opponents this weekend.

Villa sit 17th and are three points clear of the relegation zone after losing to Manchester United 3-2 last Saturday at Villa Park.

Paul Lambert's side lost their last match against Mancini's side in the Premier League 1-0 on February 2 but won their most recent meeting in September, in the third round of the League Cup, 4-2 in extra time.

Striker Andreas Weimann netted two goals in his side's loss to Manchester United and told reporters this week Villa has no reason to fear the reigning Premier League Champions.

City remain undefeated in the Premier League this season after beating Tottenham 2-1 last Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Right-back Maicon and David Silva returned from injury to help Mancini's side to victory over Spurs and Joleon Lescott should be available for this week's game to further boost City's stocks after a back injury.

Villa are still uncertain how long striker Darren Bent will be out of action with his ankle injury, following his setback in training two weeks ago.

Info

Manchester City

W L W L W

5 - 0

Aston Villa

D L W W L

Competition

Half-time: 1 - 0
Full-time: 5 - 0

Venue: Etihad Stadium (Manchester)
Attendance: 47072

Goals

David Silva 43'	1 - 0
S. Agüero (PG) 54'	2 - 0
C. Tévez (PG) 65'	3 - 0
S. Agüero 67' (assist by C. Tévez)	4 - 0
C. Tévez 74' (assist by S. Nasri)	5 - 0

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	J. Hart
4	V. Kompany
22	G. Clichy
3	Maicon
33	M. Nastasić
8	S. Nasri
18	G. Barry
21	David Silva	43'
42	Y. Touré
32	C. Tévez	65' 74'
16	S. Agüero	54' 67'
Coach: R. Mancini

#	Player	Bookings
22	B. Guzan
4	R. Vlaar
29	E. Stevens
34	M. Lowton
6	C. Clark
7	S. Ireland
25	B. Bannan	56'
15	A. Westwood
11	G. Agbonlahor
20	C. Benteke
26	A. Weimann
Coach: P. Lambert

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
10	E. Džeko for S. Agüero 69'
13	A. Kolarov for G. Clichy 73'
11	S. Sinclair for David Silva 76'
5	P. Zabaleta
6	J. Lescott
14	Javi García
30	C. Pantilimon

#	Player	Bookings
12	M. Albrighton for S. Ireland 62'
14	B. Holman for A. Weimann 62'
21	J. Bowery for C. Benteke 83'
1	S. Given
8	K. El Ahmadi
16	F. Delph
32	N. Baker

Saturday 25 May

04:34	Polish Ekstraklasa: Widzew Lodz 1 Legia Warsaw 1
04:14	Oezil keen to stay at Real
04:09	De Rossi pleads for peaceful final
03:42	Chelsea, Galatasaray vie for Turan
03:25	Ballack predicts a Bayern victory
03:13	Santos accept Neymar bids
02:27	Atletico plot Negredo swoop
01:46	La Liga Preview: Espanyol v Barcelona
00:19	Valbuena: My best season so far

Friday 24 May

22:23	Blackburn give Bowyer permanent role
21:50	Dortmund can get better, insists Klopp
21:33	Fernandes: No Caterham exit plans
21:11	Inter appoint Mazzarri, sack Stramaccioni
20:42	Benitez in Napoli link
20:17	Adams signs new Ross County deal
19:39	Heynckes: Bayern are extraordinary
19:01	Platini: European sports police needed
18:12	Taylor calls on Coloccini to stay
18:06	Verratti is going nowhere, says agent
17:56	Neymar set to leave Santos ´within 10 days´
17:51	Gill expects Rooney stay
17:44	Departing Cole thanks West Ham fans
16:59	Shechter grateful for Swansea support
16:44	Townsend charged over betting rules
16:43	Reading release six players
16:41	Monaco splash out for Moutinho, Rodriguez
16:32	Rummenigge: Bayern not complacent
16:07	Giroud seeks improvement
16:04	Palermo chief welcomes bids for Ilicic
16:03	AZ bolster defensive stocks
16:00	Lambert: Benteke needs to stay at Villa
15:52	Andreolli poised for Inter return
15:22	Bianchi: Boca players tired
15:05	Cech: Mourinho a great manager
14:52	Blatter outlines racism resolution aim
14:37	Manchester City players coy on Pellegrini
14:14	Marseille priced out of Damiao move
13:55	McAuley: West Brom could have done more
13:52	Osman extends Everton stay
13:43	Stoke reject N´Zonzi transfer request
13:19	Carragher retirement ´sad´, says Mourinho
12:58	Manolev happy to help
12:37	Europa league winners to get Champions League spot
11:22	First goal bittersweet for Azpilicueta
11:06	La Liga Preview: Real Sociedad v Real Madrid
10:54	La Liga Preview: Pressure on for Euro spots
10:46	Ligue 1 Preview: Victory only hope for Troyes
10:40	MLS preview: Second place up for grabs
10:37	Coentrao heading for Real exit
10:26	Coppa Italia Preview: Roma v Lazio
10:02	Ligue 1 Preview: Lorient v PSG
08:56	Malaga win was catalyst, says Klopp
07:10	Milan finalise Zapata switch
07:01	Montella braced for Jovetic departure
06:20	Simeone will not block Falcao exit
05:58	Van Gaal talks down Netherlands´ chances
05:49	Coupet doubts Monaco´s potential
05:47	Man City edge Chelsea in thrilling friendly
05:41	Torres wants Mourinho at Chelsea
04:57	Copa Libertadores Wrap: Atletico Mineiro snatch late draw
04:49	Galliani dismisses Berlusconi row reports
04:37	San Lorenzo renew Coloccini pursuit
04:29	Benteke sparks fears of Villa exit
04:27	Weidenfeller: We can be heroes
04:18	Injured Messi called up by Argentina
04:13	Cleverley taking inspiration from Spain
03:16	Kellermann proud of resilient Wolfsburg
03:05	Robben hails dominant Germany
02:49	Europe the benchmark for Zaccheroni´s Japan
01:39	Osieck backs Schwarzer to shine

Thursday 23 May

23:59	Van der Gun shoots Utrecht to away win
23:39	Firmino double fires Hoffenheim to win
21:41	Davies hails ´great´ debut season
21:17	Foster happy with eighth-placed finish
20:15	Wickham eyeing first team
19:44	UEFA to announce Europa League incentive
19:31	Fonte looking to hit the ground running
19:21	Hodgson keen to hand Jones defensive role
18:43	Onuoha: Keep the faith with QPR owners
18:09	Karagounis praises Fulham fans
18:07	McDermott: Byram keen on Leeds stay
18:02	Martinez´s Wigan future to be decided next week
17:47	Rodriguez: I think I will leave Porto
17:44	Erbes ´relaxed´ ahead of Newell´s clash
17:20	CSL Preview: Shandong Luneng eye top spot
17:18	Kwakman to leave Groningen
16:45	Werder Bremen complete Petersen signing
16:28	Mancini Inter return is possible, says Moratti
16:20	Baines: Everton must progress without Moyes
16:07	Nicollin: Cabella worth 100 million euros
15:56	Demel proud of West Ham´s home record
15:49	Debuchy: Premier League is difficult
15:21	Pazzini to miss start of next season
15:09	Ferdinand extends Manchester United deal
14:23	Pulis thanks fans after Stoke departure
14:07	Berlin to host 2015 UEFA Champions League final
14:04	Werder face Dutt wait
13:43	Finke appointed Cameroon boss
13:38	Wilshere keen to improve after comeback season
13:08	Vieira excited by MLS franchise
13:04	Rodgers wants quick decision on Carroll future
12:55	Kagawa wants European success
11:21	Mata hopes for Mourinho arrival
10:44	Welbeck disappointed with goals tally
10:36	UEFA Champions League Preview: Borussia Dortmund v Bayern Munich
10:23	Zabaleta excited by Pellegrini
09:53	Ramos: Bale is ´Real Madrid-quality´
08:59	Hart urges City to go forward
05:27	Copa Libertadores Wrap: Santa Fe earn away win
05:24	Fiorentina reject Jovetic rumours
05:16	Piszczek set for post-season surgery
04:48	Adriano signs Barca extension
04:33	International Friendly: Venezuela 2 El Salvador 1
04:22	Bundesliga chief slams Qatar World Cup scheduling
03:52	Gignac wants Barton to stay
02:35	Ramsey, Walcott hail Wenger´s achievements
02:20	Loew regrets timing of German finale

Related