Manchester City v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[LeeB]

A hugely surprising 2-0 win, both own goals off Barry's arse from troublesome Lichaj throw-ins.

[philcwo35]

citychris

Just PM'd you

Phil.

[cb]

Not sure I entirely subscribe to the pessimism.

                    Freidal
  Lichaj   Clark   Cuellar   Warnock
Albrighton  NRC   Petrov   Downing
                     Delph
                 Agbonlahor

has a pretty solid look to me. Also, one thing the Villa always do is surprise us. When we expect to win easily we usually screw things up and when nobody expects anything, we then pull something out of the bag. Not very scientific, but for an argument based on something more tangible read on...

I think if we can put out the above team reasonably regularly and  integrate the likes of Young and Delfouneso, that side can be a reasonably solid outfit. For me our defensive problems have stemmed from midfield and with NRC and Petrov (this is key) back to stem the flow, I predict a different Villa from here on in. We might not pull up any trees, but I think that side can easily steer us to mid-table mediocrity at worst (if things come together maybe even a push for a UEFA  spot). There's plenty of good young players to integrate there too; Bannan, Delfouneso, Albrighton and Delph represent some of the best young talent in the British Isles. Supplement them with more good young players, sprinkle in a bit of experience, give them a stable environment and there's a huge amount of potential there.

I think we have a reasonable chance of a point...

[WikiVilla]

A lot of negativity on this thread, reminds me of my first 32 years of supporting City!! I do think we will win but it won't be a thrashing that many are predicting. Mancini just doesn't do thrashings at Eastlands, he loves possesion football mainly played by the defenders and Nigel DeJong, bores the opposition and then hit them on the counter-attack. We have played far better football away from home this season as the home side has to come at us, but at home when the opposition don't attack as often we just seem to play keep ball until Tevez gets pissed off and starts looking deep for the ball, spurs the rest on and we get a couple.
Probable line up

                           Hart
Zabaletta- Kompany-Lescott/Toure-Kolorov
                     DeJong
             YaYa Toure     Barry
Silva                                     Balotelli
                     Tevez

subs- Given, Richards, Vieira, Boateng, A Johnson, Milner, Jo

I predict a 2-0 victory with Tevez and Milner to score his first for us near the end

For those of you coming, have a safe trip and try and enjoy it as much as you can. Btw, it's pissing down here (no surprise) so bring a coat!!

Would be good to get some impartial feedback post game on how our players did

[citychris]

citychris

Just PM'd you

Phil.

sent you a pm mate, enjoy the game

[citychris]

A lot of negativity on this thread, reminds me of my first 32 years of supporting City!! I do think we will win but it won't be a thrashing that many are predicting. Mancini just doesn't do thrashings at Eastlands, he loves possesion football mainly played by the defenders and Nigel DeJong, bores the opposition and then hit them on the counter-attack. We have played far better football away from home this season as the home side has to come at us, but at home when the opposition don't attack as often we just seem to play keep ball until Tevez gets pissed off and starts looking deep for the ball, spurs the rest on and we get a couple.
Probable line up

                           Hart
Zabaletta- Kompany-Lescott/Toure-Kolorov
                     DeJong
             YaYa Toure     Barry
Silva                                     Balotelli
                     Tevez

subs- Given, Richards, Vieira, Boateng, A Johnson, Milner, Jo

I predict a 2-0 victory with Tevez and Milner to score his first for us near the end

For those of you coming, have a safe trip and try and enjoy it as much as you can. Btw, it's pissing down here (no surprise) so bring a coat!!

Would be good to get some impartial feedback post game on how our players did

I will do mate, win lose or draw I will give you a match report on the game today from a city point of view.

I have to say, I am looking forward to seeing Albrighton and Bannan today. The future is bright for Villa if you can keep hold of these two.

Btw, apologies for Stephen (where's me grannies) Ireland

[Matt C]

A pleasantly surprising draw; 1-1.

[WikiVilla]

Thanks CityChris, look forward to that

[dicedlam]

I will be watching from behind a cushion today.

5-1

Tevez producing the 'dummy' 3 times. Lard arse and Yaya Toure weighing in with the others.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

A pleasantly surprising draw; 1-1.

I'll go along with that. Hopefully Carlos will once again have Tevez in his pocket, Gabby is due a goal and now we have a bit more muscle in the middle of the pitch, the defence will finally get some protection.

My only doubt is we continue to play with two wingers with only Gabby in the middle. We need to start getting players in the opposition's box to support him.

[PaulTheVillan]

We could start Pires, he's got a pace advantage over Barry & Milner.

[manic-road]

Can't see anything other than a christmas stuffing.

3-0

[Irish villain]

Dreading this game

I hope he starts with Petrov and NRC as we will need experienced heads in there. We should play on the break too. Hogg and NRC won't be able to pass it around Man Citeh.

[villa1]

We could start Pires, he's got a pace advantage over Barry & Milner.

We'd have to sub him off after the first run though, as he'd be fucked.

[Legion]

Preview