Man City ‘v’ Aston Villa – Preview

With the massively disappointing defeat away to West Ham still fresh in the mind, Man City entertain high-flying Aston Villa at the City of Manchester Stadium of Wednesday night. The Blues need a win to return to the top  half of the table, whilst the visitors are in fourth place, leading Arsenal by three points.

Since these sides met on the first day of the season, all the way back in August, the progress achieved couldn’t have been further from the same. Like a pair of hugely differing simultaneous equations, Villa have stormed into the upper echelons of the Premier League, whilst City have meandered along, just like the River Tees, even entering the relegation zone, before recovering and now they lie in eleventh place.

Team News

Blues boss Mark Hughes is facing possibly the biggest injury crisis during his time in charge of the Blues. Already missing Kasper Schmiechel, Michael Johnson, Martin Petrov, Kelvin Etuhu, Gelson ‘Thank God he’s Injured’ Fer******, Didi Hamann, Daniel Sturridge, Benjani Mwaruwari, Sparky is now without the services of Micah ‘Chav’ Richards, Robinho and Craig Bellamy for this crucal clash. Attacking midfielder Elano is expected to be restored to the starting line-up, where he will possibly be joined by Felipe ‘I Run Darius Vassell Close to be the Worst Striker at Man City’ Caicedo. Valeri Bojinov is not deemed fit enough to start but will surely come off the bench later in the game.

Aston Villa, under the inspirational guidance of Martin O’Neill, have assembled a largely English-based squad, possessing quality in every department. Ranging from the longevity and continued brilliance of Brad Friedel in net, to the midfield talents of Gareth Barry, and extending up-front to the Usain Bolt-like pace of Gabriel ‘I Make Craig Bellamy Look Slow’ Agbonlahor, they have enough talent to break into the Champions League, a feat which they look capable of doing this season. January signing Emile Heskey is expected to be sidelined with an injury, therefore handing Norwegian man-mountain John Carew an opportunity up-front.

Agbonlahor’s pace will cause problems for the City defence

My Team

                                            Given

Zabaleta            Dunne                          Onuoha         Bridge

                        de Jong                        Kompany

SWP                                    Elano                               Ireland

                                         Caicedo

Subs: Hart, Logan, Garrido, Weiss, Vassell, Evans, Bojinov

Key Battles

Nedum Onuoha ‘v’ Gabriel Agbonlahor

Onuoha has come into the City defence in recent weeks and has looked a class act, but he will surely be tested by the movement and pace of England international Agbonlahor.  The young striker has had a tough spell recently, but on his day, he is capable of tormenting any defence.

Pablo Zabaleta ‘v’ Ashley Young

Argentinean Zabaleta is expected to return to his favoured right-back role in the enforced absence of Micah Richards, and he will need to be on his game to curb the threat posed by Young. Signed a couple of years ago from Watford for £9.65 million, Young has developed into one of the most feared wingers in the Premier League with his pace and trickery.

Wayne Bridge ‘v’ James Milner

Publicly praised by England boss Fabio Capello, who declared that ‘Milner is my future’, the former Newcastle winger is a dangerous proposition for any team, with his ability to deliver consistent pinpoint crosses and his exceptional work-rate. Bridge has endured a shaky start to his City career, but has shown a few signs of improvement recently, and will need to continue in this vein.

Bridge will need to be at the top of his game to nullify the threat of Milner

Verdict: Man City 1 – 2 Aston Villa

For the first time ever in my blogging career, I am not predicting an enthralling, entertaining affair, rather an underwhelming contest with goals to be scored by Stephen Ireland, Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.