Manchester City v Aston Villa: Villa target another happy away day
After being well and truly battered by Chelsea at the Bridge in March most people thought there was more chance of Oasis bad boys Noel and Liam Gallagher patching up their differences than Villa had of finishing fourth. However, victory this afternoon against one of their main rivals for the last Champions League spot – combined with Spurs dropping points against Bolton – will see the Villains back in the driving seat, albeit having played a game extra.
There has been a lot of doom and gloom surrounding the form of Martin O’Neill’s men over the past few months with some claiming that they have ran out of steam as usual, but the simple fact of the matter is that Villa have only lost once in the league during 2010. That is a remarkable achievement for the Midlands giants but can they continue their three-game winning streak to leave Manchester City’s Champions League hopes in tatters?
Only Everton and city rivals Manchester United have left the City of Manchester Stadium with maximum points this season and Roberto Mancini will be hoping the packed home crowd will roar them on to victory as they chase their illusive dream. Unfortunately for City, they take on a Villa side that – like John Terry and Ashley Cole allegedly – play far better away from home. Only the champions Manchester United have won more games on their travels in the league this season and O’Neill will be desperate to make it a perfect 10 today.
The blue half of Manchester has not been a happy hunting ground for Villa over the past two decades with the visitors managing just two wins. This afternoon would be a great time to make it a hat-trick. Unfortunately for the visitors the majority of the Panel don’t think that will happen.
