Aston Villa (H) | Pre-Match Thread

[RandomJ]

Their first team won't have kicked a ball in anger for like 3 weeks by the time the game comes around. They may start the game fresh and full of energy but the lack of match fitness will tell by the end.

 

[birchwoodgingerste]

Were in good form hope kun gets a few minutes then maybe 60 mins in cup .lots of players in form now just feel we need kun firing for when we visit scousers in a few weeks

 

[Akira]

Tricky game this is.

As always, I'm hoping to see Aguero back on the teamsheet.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Incentive to win and go top should be enough to prompt a performance to achieve the 3 points.

 

[Sergio<3]

Is Aguero available for this game?

 

[Lavinda Past]

Probably won't happen due to covid... If it does go ahead, 3-0 City win

If the PL change it to play the postponed Everton game, 3-0 City win

 

[blue cigar]

Foden and cancelo to start, stop grealish win the game.

 

[Rammy Blue]

Is Aguero available for this game?

Yes

 

[BertTrautmann'sParachute]

Wednesday 20th January

Manchester City v
Aston Villa

Kickoff: 6:00pm (UK)
Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK

Live TV: BT Sport (UK)


Referee: Jonathan Moss
Assistants: Harry Lennard, Dan Robathan
Fourth Official: David Coote
VAR: Andy Madley
Assistant VAR: Simon Beck

View attachment 8463

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Premier League Stats

We have a pretty decent record against them in the Premier League era ... even going back to pre-takeover days. Since their latest return to the top flight and while Pep has been in charge of us we have totally dominated them with the last meeting being that famous 1-6 at Villa Park (their single goal coming in the injury time courtesy of a penalty). Going back a little further, the last time they visited Etihad in the league was also a comfortable 3-0 win for us.

And of course in between these two league meetings was our third successive League Cup win in the Final against them.

View attachment 8464


While we are the in-form team in the league right now (just look at those 5 green Ws) , they have been the surprise of the season so far ... having narrowly survived relegation last season, they have well and truly kicked on this season. The 7-2 thrashing of the Scousers is all you need to know how their season is going. They are sitting comfortably in the top ten of the league table and will probably finish there as well.

View attachment 8468

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Pre-Match Thoughts

This is the week where we were supposed to have our winter break and have the mid-week free but this is when we are playing Villa in the rearranged fixture for what would have been our season opener back in September. Would have been much more confident against them if this was the first game of the season but now having seen them so far, they are much improved and the form team of this season.

However, having been hit with Covid recently this'll be their first game back in quite some time. Their last outing was a loss to Liverpool on 8th January (where their kids played) in the FA Cup. The last tie their first team actually played was way back on the 1st of January. We on the other hand since then have played five games and this has been a rather very busy January for us.

No idea if we'd be tired and they'd be fresh or we'd be in a rhythm and they'd be rusty ... it could go either way ... but I'm backing our form and new found grit to come through ... whichever of the two patterns emerge in the game.

This already rescheduled fixture has been rescheduled again and now it's at an earlier kick-off time of 6pm (as opposed to original reschedule of 8:15pm) so don't get caught out by looking up a source that hasn't updated the kick-off time.


Match Prediction

Another clean sheet ... and a repeat of last league meeting at the Etihad: 3-0 to City!

Win this and it'll be our 9th win in a row in all competitions. Onwards and upwards ... we have already gone top of the goal difference column tonight ... win this one and we're top on points too (right after our game at least and till others play)!

Really enjoy these, mate. Thanks for posting.

 

[SWPISHOME]

Interesting to see who Vills have available this one.
The way we are playing I expect us to win game we are looking rock solid.

Ederson

Walker
Dias
Stones
Cancelo

Rodri
Gundogan
De Bruyne

Sterling
Bernardo
Foden

 

[The Fat el Hombre]

On villa talk they seem very confident the game will go ahead, but have no idea who will be in their team. Seems villa are keeping it on the low as to who they might have available

 

[worsleyweb]

Eddie
Cancelo
Dias
Stones
Mendy
Kdb
Rhodri
Foden
Mahrez
Jesus
Sterling

 

[EL APACHE TEVEZ]

I’m going for 5-0 to the blueboys

 

[mat]

We nullified a bald rag **** today. Just have to do the same with the fat **** in the middle.

At least he's too slow to block passing lines.

 

[richards30]

Ederson
Cancelo
Stones
Dias
Zinchenko
Rodri
De bruyne
Gundogan
Bernardo Silva
Foden
Sterling

 

[BringBackSwales]

Can’t wait for the game at anfield, it will take some refereeing and var performance to stop us turning them over

 

[jimmygrimblesboots]

Although their training ground has been closed the vast majority of their players have had ten days rest , they will be well rested and raring to go for this game , so i dont expect we will be playing the COVID ravaged under dogs they appear to be. But if we win this its puts pressure on the paperboy to deliver at Fulham

 

[mat]

Come on let's have it.....a banana skin...... a tricky game etc etc etc ....

I'm waiting for someone to say "I'd love to see that drink driving shit Joey Barton at City"

 

[TheCentralScrutinizer]

Probably won't happen due to covid... If it does go ahead, 3-0 City win

If the PL change it to play the postponed Everton game, 3-0 City win

That's the spirit ;)

 

[WestGorton]

Think the game going ahead remaining uncertain. Villa have real issues and it should only be played if they are on the mend.