On Sky
This game seems to have taken an eternity for the Sheriff. After the Chelsea game, it was a shame we had to wait so long. Hopefully it will have been worth the wait.
Vital Quotes:
After his superb double performance for England, our ‘Captain Marvel’ Gareth Barry is all about business again:
‘It’s been a good week, but those two games are over now and I’m concentrating on getting another victory for my club.
‘As soon as I got home I realised it’s back to important business for Villa and my focus has got to be on trying to get three points at Manchester City, which is a tough task.’
On the former England boss – and manager of Sunday’s opposition, Man City – Barry added:
‘Sven took a lot of criticism towards the end with England and probably, looking at his record, it was little bit harsh.
‘But he’s gone into Man City, bought a lot of players and they’ve started the season very well, although they lost their last couple. He’s bought well and they’ve got a lot of good individuals.
‘It’s not about them though. We’re going into the game looking for a third straight League win. If we’re going to do well this season we’ve got to be going to places like Manchester City, performing and getting results.
‘They’ve had a steady start the same as us, but after the Chelsea win there will be players in our squad going into Sunday with a lot of confidence.’
Speaking of Sven, on absentee Richard Dunne, he said:
‘I would agree that Richard is in the very top bracket of central defenders playing in the Premier League,’ he said.
‘He can do everything. Richard is a good header of the ball, he is strong, he is a rather good passer when on the ball and is quick, quicker than you think.
‘He has a lot of experience now at the top level. It would be nice to see what would happen if he was English though perhaps you should not say that to an Irishman! I think he would be a challenge to all the other central defenders.’
Manchester City Team News:
As mentioned above, Richard Dunne is not available for Citeh as he is suspended.
Must say I’m happy with that, as I’m a big fan of Dunne.
Eary reports indicate that Vedran Corluka will replace Dunne, with Nedum Onuoha likely to return at right-back.
Brazilian midfielder Geovanni is expected to be available after returning to training following a calf injury.
Team (from): Schmeichel, Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Sun, Richards, Garrido, Ball, Fernandes, Geovanni, Hamann, Johnson, Ireland, Petrov, Elano, Mpenza, Bianchi, Vassell, Samaras.
Player to watch: Man City Danger Man:
Assuming he is fit and does play, Geovanni has made a good start to the season (based on what I have seen of Citeh so far)
I am guessing Darius Vassell wont be playing – and with his recod against us, that is no bad thing!
Aston Villa Team News:
New boy Curtis Davies is fit for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury, but realistically will not be starting.
The only injury worry from the last squad is that John Carew picked up a slight knock while away with Norway. Patrick Berger is still unavailable.
Team (from): Carson, Sorensen, Taylor, Mellberg, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Knight, Cahill, Bouma, Agbonlahor, Barry, Reo-Coker, Young, Petrov, Osbourne, Maloney, Carew, Moore.
Player to watch: Aston Villa Danger Man:
Well the obvious temptation here is to go for Gareth Barry, but I am going to say Martin Laursen.
Away from home it is always vital to keep the defence solid, and Laursen is imperative to that. Providing we keep it tight at the back, we definitely have the firepower to cause problems at the other end.
Match Facts & Stats:
If we get a win here, we condemn the home side to a third succesive league defeat while gaining a third consecutive league victory for ourselves; something we have not managed in 104 matches.
Citeh have not lost at home this season, and we have not lost on the road since Reading in February. I believe it is going to be tight, whatever happens.
Ref Watch:
Martin Atkinson (Yorkshire)
Match Prediction:
The man is back!
Well Mystic Mug & Sheriff Kimbo got together, and decided a 1-0 victory for Aston Villa is the result to put your money on.
After finally beating Citeh following a run of 10 league & cup games without doing so, it would be nice if we can kick on from there and give them the same treatment!
Next Fixture:
(H) Everton, Sunday, 23 Sept, 2pm
