A bad result for City last night as Everton lost to Reading. With Everton waiting in the wings, and given the poor performances of late against the Toffees, City would have been fully focused against Villa. Unfortunately with Reading the opponent at home there is a clear path to the FA Cup semi final.
The Manchester Evening News is reporting that David Silva will be fit for the tie, although Nigel de Jong has failed to recover from his ankle injury. Team selection and tactical formation will be crucial in the match if City are to see a repeat of the December 28th hammering of Gerard Houllier's side.
Curiously Carlos Tevez didn't start that game, Balotelli scoring a memorable hat trick, and there's an argument for a similar situation given the injuries that Villa have in the centre of their defence. However I expect either Balotelli or Dzeko to start on the bench given that Villa, unlike most Premier League teams, have an abundance of width. As such I wouldn't be surprised to see the Christmas Tree formation make an unwelcome return.
Villa are an under-rated side with a lot of potential. The loss of manager Martin O'Neill prior to the start of the season massively impacted the Midland's club and in many ways it has been a lost season. Such clubs are inherently dangerous in Cup competitions.
Garry Cook doesn't like the phrase "Typical City," but with Reading up next and a semi-final berth a real possibility this has all the makings of a frustrating evening.
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Posted by Aaron on 03/02/2011
I agree Wallace; it has the look of "Typical City" night. Silva being back in the lineup might finally reverse that jinx. There has to come a time where good fortunes come to this club. I would start Dzeko over Balotelli. Dzeko can give their make shift back 4 fits all night with Tevez.
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Posted by Evan Georgiou on 03/02/2011
Just a few points....
1.King Carlitos did not play in first game-he will tonight.
2.Bent is cup tied.
3.25 shots on goal yielded zero goals last time,I am sure we will convert more.
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Posted by Jon on 03/02/2011
You know, Wallace, I was thinking the exact same thing. Mancini said in his pre-match press conference that Michael Johnson might get 20-30 minutes, so at least there is some good news.
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Posted by Hari on 03/02/2011
Wallace,
Youre right about big match temperament-remember the loss to Everton when we could have gone top?
Say we dont finish 4th and Mancini is sacked.
Who would be your man for the post-other than Jose Mourinho?
Wallace Reply Michael Laudrup...
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Posted by Orlando on 03/02/2011
this is a tough spot for city, with chelsea's win yesterday against united, the 3/4 champions league spots are really up for grabs between city, chelsea, and tottenham. i agree with most that to see city winning an fa cup or at least getting to the final is very important. although at the cost of missing the champions league spots, that might be too big of a price to pay in my opinion! but maybe they can stay fit and healthy enough to grab both :P
come on city!!!
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Posted by Balotely on 03/02/2011
i rekon city 2-0 as villa coach is lost property in the head !!!!!!
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Posted by Jay Rivers on 03/02/2011
Roberto Mancini showed a lack of manners and a very poor personality when it was time to shake hands with Mark Hughes. No wonder his billion dollar team is going nowhere.
City needs a new coach. URGENTLY.!!!!!
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Posted by Hari on 03/02/2011
Wallace,
Sorry for asking again but any reason for choosing Laudrup? Is it his attacking style of play?
Wallace Reply Yes... I think Silva would flourish under him. But hopefully Mancini gets the club to the CL.
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Posted by James W. on 03/02/2011
Hey Wallace, I think City lack another creative attacking midfielder. The only true one they've got is Silva. You said in one of your other articles that the link-up play between the midfield and the final third was poor, doing think adding adding another attacking midfielder like a Ozil or a Sneijder will help because when Silva goes down, City's strikers don't the ball as much against higher quality opponents.
Wallace Reply No world class player would want to sit on the bench. City need either an experienced campaigner or an up and coming youngster to fill the role behind Silva.
Posted by Jim Kanichirayil - Chicago on 03/03/2011
Any thoughts about the next round match up against Reading? For a second I started getting the same sinking feeling that Cubs fans do when June rolls around.
Wallace Reply City should win comfortably and with United playing Arsenal there is now a distinct possibility that City can win silverware this year.
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Wallace Poulter is an award winning video game producer, designer, industry consultant and writer. He has been a football fanatic since the day he moved in next door to Brian Clough. "Cloughie" being the acknowledged genius that he was promptly moved out and went to manage Derby. A serviceable senior school left-back in his youth, Poulter played one season of Sunday league football as a striker proving conclusively that he was a serviceable senior school left-back! Today Poulter remains involved with football as a licensed referee and most recently as a consultant on a Football MMO.
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