Having seen for himself the enormity of the task he is charged with, Garde will manage his first game tomorrow as his new club, rock bottom of the Premier League, take on league leaders Manchester City at Villa Park.
The Villans are on their worst run of form since 1963 while the visitors sit top of the table so, to many, the result seems like a foregone conclusion. The Citizens looked impressive and disciplined in their mid-week win over Sevilla after struggling to a 2-1 win against Norwich City in their last league outing. A performance similar to the one that earned Pellegrini’s players a place in the knock-out stages of the Champions League on Tuesday night may prove too much for the hapless hosts, who have picked up just one point on home soil all season.
The Villans have won just one of their last ten Premier League games against Manchester City, losing eight of them, so tomorrow’s game will be a real baptism of fire for the new Villa boss. However, fans will be more interested to see the new gaffer ringing the changes than they will be in the result. Showing spirit and fight should be enough to encourage the home crowd although, with the Villans having suffered seven successive losses in the top flight, time is of the essence so it is imperative that Garde does all that he can to stop the slump. Fans will be hoping to see Jordan Ayew, who has scored in back-to-back games following a slow start to his career in claret and blue, in the starting XI along with some of the more creative players in the squad to pose an attacking threat against City’s shining stars.
Recent form:
Aston Villa: L L L L L
Stoke City: W D W W L
Team news:
Micah Richards will return from suspension to face his former side.
Gabby Agbonlahor is a doubt, as he was forced off on Monday night with a tight calf.
Ashley Westwood should be available, despite suffering a head injury in the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore should also be available, having been rested for the last game.
Possible line-up:
Guzan
Hutton Richards Clark Amavi
Sanchez
Westwood Gueye
Gil
Ayew Kozak
The opposition:
Having lost just two Premier League games since the start of the season, the Citizens come into this game top of the table, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference. Pellegrini’s side has scored more goals than any other side – twenty-six – and his players have the power to punish the Villans should their record of dubious defending continue tomorrow. Strong defensively, the visitors will not make life easy for their hosts.
Pellegrini will be without top scorer Sergio Aguero, who suffered a muscle tear while playing for Argentina, and Samir Nasri, who picked up a knock in the emphatic victory over Bournemouth last month.
Pablo Zabaleta has also been ruled out with a knee injury.
David Silva is nearing a return following the injury he suffered during the international break but is unlikely to be deemed fit enough to feature tomorrow.
Pellegrini has revealed that Gael Clichy and former Villa captain Fabian Delph have been back in training this week.
Match information:
Referee: Craig Pawson
Venue: Villa Park
Kick-off: 1.30p.m.
Tickets: Tickets still available to home supporters, priced from £27 for adults
Last meeting: 25th April 2015 – Manchester City 3 – Aston Villa 2
Predictions:
0-2 – Mark Lawrenson
0-2 – Paul Merson
1-3 – AnneMc
