Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Injury-hit striker Gabriel Agbonlahor could feature against Manchester City despite only playing one minute of football under Villa boss Remi Garde.
However the Frenchman remains without defender Alan Hutton and midfielder Carlos Sanchez (both hamstring).
Manchester City are missing playmaker Kevin de Bruyne (ligament damage) after he was stretchered off against Everton.
Defenders Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and Eliaquim Mangala are set to return to training next week.
Editor’s Note: Aston Villa will welcome the change of focus this Afternoon as they play host to Manchester City in this F.A. Cup 4th Round tie. The last time these two sides met was in Remi Garde’s first game as Aston Villa with the sides drawing 0-0.
Since then it’s been quiet an arduous period at the helm at Aston Villa for Remi Garde as his side still find themselves bottom of the Premier League and 10 points from safety, but that said Villa are currently undergoing their best run of form under Garde with them being unbeaten in their last 5 matches in all competitions
Today they play host to a Manchester City side who tasted cup success of a different kind after progressing to the Capital One Cup Final on Wednesday thanks to a 3-1 win over Everton at The Etihad, they had to come from behind and also had the Assistant Referee to thank but they were deserved winners on the night.
The win certainly came at a cost with the news that Kevin De Bruyne will be out injured for around 1o weeks due to a medial ligament injury, that will be some blow to City as him coming on in the second half in Midweek was arguably the turning point of the game and certainly gave Manuel Pellegrini’s side some extra impetus
With the injury to De Bruyne that means a lot more extra emphasis will be placed on Sergio Aguero’s Goalscoring prowess thankfully for City he seems to be back to full fitness and his best as performances against West Ham and Everton in the last week have proved.
Not forgetting they can call on a supporting cast including David Silva who also spent a considerable spell on the sidelines this season and not forgetting Fabian Delph who if he features This Afternoon will certainly come in for some criticism from the Aston Villa faithful after his transfer U-turn last Summer.
Even with Kevin De Bruyne missing I think City will have more than enough to progress to the 5th Round and subsequently will end Villa’s unbeaten streak of 5 matches in all competitions. An away win and keeping the possible quadruple alive for City.
