Manchester City Vs Aston Villa [R]

[MVF]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44104000/gif/_44104189_mnc_villa2_0506.gif

Man City v Aston Villa

Eastlands
Sunday, 16 September
Kick-off: 1600 BST
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MotD2.

Manchester City's Richard Dunne will miss the game through suspension so Vedran Corluka is set to partner Micah Richards in central defence.

Brazilian midfielder Geovanni should be available after a calf injury.

Aston Villa's new signing Curtis Davies is included in the squad after missing the win over Chelsea because of a hamstring problem.

Striker John Carew is the only injury concern after aggravating a groin injury while playing for Norwa

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson on Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry:
"I am happy for him as I did not pick him many times.

"But at that time he played wide left or left full-back. But I think this role is maybe best for him.

"He was good the first game last Saturday and he was even better against Russia. He can pass the ball well, has a good shot and good delivery from free-kicks and corners."


Man City (from): Schmeichel, Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Sun, Richards, Garrido, Ball, Fernandes, Geovanni, Hamann, Johnson, Ireland, Petrov, Elano, Mpenza, Bianchi, Vassell, Samaras.

Aston Villa (from): Carson, Sorensen, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Cahill, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young, Petrov, Osbourne, Carew, Moore.

#
Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson on Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry:
"I am happy for him as I did not pick him many times.

"But at that time he played wide left or left full-back. But I think this role is maybe best for him.

"He was good the first game last Saturday and he was even better against Russia. He can pass the ball well, has a good shot and good delivery from free-kicks and corners."


Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"There was pleasure in beating Chelsea two weeks ago but we need consistency.

"We have a very difficult game at Manchester City on Sunday and we have to try and play like we did in that match two weeks ago.

"We have to achieve that level of performance on a consistent basis, week in, week out."

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Manchester City are eager to avoid a third straight league defeat; Aston Villa striving for a third successive win.

The Midlanders, victors over Chelsea last time out, have completed 104 Premier League matches since registering three wins in a row.

City have a 100% home Premier League record, and are yet to concede at Eastlands; Villa have neither scored nor conceded on the road.

Aston Villa are vying for a 50th league victory over Manchester City, in their 150th competitive meeting.
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill:
"There was pleasure in beating Chelsea two weeks ago but we need consistency.

"We have a very difficult game at Manchester City on Sunday and we have to try and play like we did in that match two weeks ago.

"We have to achieve that level of performance on a consistent basis, week in, week out."

KEY PLAYER NOTES

MANCHESTER CITY

GEOVANNI and Rolando BIANCHI are Manchester City's joint top scorers with two goals each. Both of GEOVANNI's were in the Premier League.

Darius VASSELL has scored five goals in five league and cup appearances for City, against Aston Villa.

If he plays:-

VASSELL will be facing his former club. The 27 year old England international started his professional career at Villa Park in April 1998, making 201 appearances (162 in the league) and scoring 45 goals (35 league) before his £2m move to Manchester City in July 2005.

Suspended:-

Richard DUNNE (one match)

ASTON VILLA

Shaun MALONEY is Villa's leading scorer with three goals.

The club's five Premier League goals have been scored by different players; one each for Gabriel AGBONLAHOR, Gareth BARRY, Zat KNIGHT and MALONEY, and one own goal.

Marlon HAREWOOD, needs one goal to total 100 in his league career (Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and West Ham).

If he plays:-

Wilfred BOUMA will be making his 50th Premier League appearance - all for Villa.

If on the field from the outset:-

Zat KNIGHT will be making his 150th career league start (Fulham, Peterborough and Aston Villa). [/CENTER]

[MVF]

I think we can win 2-1 or 1-0.

Should be a good game though

[frednmethod]

Why doesn't Sven start Bianchi anymore? I mean it's not like he's saving him for Europe next Wednesday...

[frednmethod]

3 points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2nd in the league!

[Lynne_mcfc]

3 points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2nd in the league!
And still above Man U!! that's the main thing. :D

Relieved that we won - Johnson's goal was fantastic.

Some good link-up play, but, overall I'm disappointed that we didn't put on a better display and a 2nd goal. Villa looked as though they were going to score on numerous occasions, so we (and our nerves) needed that 2nd goal cushion. Unfortunate that Vassell was sub'd. Even though he's not been a main feature in Sven's team, he was 'odds on' to score a goal against his old team and I'm sure he would've given it his 'best shot'. We missed Dunne's presence and Schmeichel had a few too many shaky moments.

Just going to down a few beers to recover.

Fulham next - come on City

[MVF]

Good Win, Was a bit worried about this game with Aston beating Chelsea comprehensively.

Anyone got a link to the goal ?

[thejuggernaut]

When Villa took Carew out, and brought in a chimney sweep. I couldn't help but think Check mate... When you start to pack it in after a goal, there always is going to be scares. When you have a young GK it only adds to this, but I strongly feel we won the game at the midfield. They had some nice crosses on Offense but they let us strom right in to their own half for 90% of the match. You cant play that retreated away from home and expect to come away with three.

[gdub171]

This was a great win... better than I hoped for. I still believe Villa is a top-notch team thats always underrated ala Blackburn. Hopefully this will set us up for another winning streak.

[arch_carrier]

MVF,

You can see Johnson's goal here (as long as its not been removed yet)

http://www.megavideo.com/?v=RLIEG7U0

Andy

[MVF]

Thanks Arch !

Thanks to the FA, You can barely find a goal on youtube or any of the other big sites.

[Alan D]

A great performance. We weren't at our best but we still managed 3 points and we're looking good for the season I hope. I'd like Isaksson back in between the posts next game cos Kasper looked a bit shaky and if we took him out now while he has kept a clean sheet he will have a lot of confidence. Shame Dunne wasnt there but Corluka put on a classy performance at centrehalf along with Richards. Garrido is looking like the bargain of the year so far - Only £1.5m!!! Johnson is looking a real big prospect now. Bianchi should of started as he had more scoring opportunities than Mpenza did in the whole game. Shame Bianchi didnt make it 2-0 with the goalline clearance but no complaints from me. Credit to Sven and the staff, the team is looking really really good this year!

Elano = World-class.

[CityBlues]

We will be better with Dunne in the lineup, the lineup against Villa did an awesome job given the personnel avaliable. Bianchi should have started though, agreed.