Probable Lineups

4-2-3-1
Manchester City
4-2-3-1
Aston Villa
© WhoScored.com

Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision

(65) 40 Goals 40 (47)
(44) 36 Assists 20 (32)
(6.8) 7 Average Ratings 6.8 (6.6)
26.8 Average Age 24.1
180.7 Average Height (cm) 182.7
(1.3) 1.3 Shots pg 1 (0.8)
(51%) 50% Aerial Duel Success 53% (51%)
(0.9) 0.6 Dribbles pg 0.5 (0.4)
(1.6) 1.3 Tackles pg 1.4 (1.4)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Premier League.

Missing Players

Player Reason Status Rating
Jack Rodwell Out 6.51
Micah Richards Out 7.24
Samir Nasri Doubtful 6.81
Gaël Clichy Doubtful 7.23
James Milner Doubtful 6.99
Joleon Lescott Doubtful 6.7
Player Reason Status Rating
Stilian Petrov Out N/A
Charles N'Zogbia Out 6.61
Nathan Baker Out 6.97
Gary Gardner Out 6.04
Chris Herd Doubtful 6.79
Richard Dunne Doubtful N/A
Darren Bent Doubtful 6.49
Joe Bennett Doubtful 6.6
Barry Bannan Doubtful 6.72

Team News

Manchester City
  • Samir Nasri is expected to return to the starting XI after missing last week's win over Spurs through illness.
  • Both Joleon Lescott and Gael Clichy have back injuries, with the former missing last week's match and the latter playing but then withdrawing from the France squad in midweek. Both have a good chance of being available, though.
  • City are still without Rodwell (hamstring) and Richards (knee), though James Milner (hamstring), is back in training and could return to action.
Aston Villa
  • Villa will hope to have Joe Bennett back in contention to play at left back, though Enda Stevens played decently in that position against Manchester United last week, and will continue there if Bennett doesn't make it.
  • Richard Dunne is back in full training but it is probably too soon for him to return to first team action just yet.
  • Andreas Weimann will hope to continue in the same vein after becoming the first Aston Villa player to score more than once in a single Premier League game against Man Utd last week. His link up play with Christian Benteke was extremely impressive and Paul Lambert will be hoping for more of the same.

Prediction

  • Manchester City came from behind to win yet again last week, with Edin Dzeko their hero once more, coming off the bench to net the winner against Tottenham. Their opponents here, Villa, were the victims of a similar fate last week, throwing away a two goal lead at home to Manchester United, going on to lose 3-2.
  • Villa will be wary of doing the same at the Etihad, as City often start to play better when they are a goal behind. They have become masters of the comeback, like rivals United, though Roberto Mancini will hope his side do not need to come from behind here.
  • City have looked vulnerable defensively in recent weeks, so Villa should score at some point, with the increasingly impressive Benteke leading the line. However, the Champions will have been buoyed by their win over Spurs and after a week's rest and on their home soil, they should take all three points.
Prediction:
Manchester City
3
1
Aston Villa
© WhoScored.com

Latest Comments

 
  • krdskrm

    Jamie_K, you're too harsh on the lad.

    27 weeks ago
        Report
  • Jamie_K

    and THAT'S why Sinclair doesn't start.

    27 weeks ago
     +1   Report
  • kelevra

    I expect a very good performance of City mostly because of the return of David Silva.

    27 weeks ago
     +2   Report
See all 3 comments

Head to Head Stats

R Team W D L Pts Form
2 M. City 23 9 6 78 lwdwwl
15 A. Villa 10 11 17 41 dlwwld

Top Players

Manchester City
Aston Villa
D. Silva 7.27
G. Clichy 7.23
C. Tévez 7.21
C. Benteke 7.45
M. Lowton 7.1
R. Vlaar 7
E. Dzeko 14
S. Agüero 12
C. Tévez 11
C. Benteke 19
G. Agbonlahor 9
A. Weimann 7
D. Silva 8
C. Tévez 8
S. Nasri 7
A. Westwood 6
C. N'Zogbia 4
C. Benteke 4

Match Forecast

Manchester City will create many scoring chances  
Manchester City will dominate possession  
There will be a high number of cards shown  
Manchester City will score from a wingplay situation  
Manchester City will score from a setpiece situation  
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characters.

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