Match Preview :

Manchester City finds themselves a point below Manchester United after the Red Devils beat Liverpool 2-1 to go top of the Premiership.

Aston Villa will be hard pressed to stop Manchester City after struggling for consistency all season, but a win here could boost Villa's morale for the remainder of the season.

Villa are currently in the bottom half after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle last weekend. They do have an eight point advantage over the bottom three sides and will be glad to welcome players back ahead of the visit of Manchester City.

Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (back and hamstring), winger Marc Albrighton (thigh) and central defender James Collins (calf) have all made good progress and will be back for this clash.

Midfielder Chris Herd remains the only long-term casualty with an ankle problem since being out in December. Meanwhile, Striker Robbie Keane will make his final home appearance before returning to the Los Angeles Galaxy as his loan expires.

Mancini stated that he was pleased that City came through a tough month and were top of the Premiership [until Manchester United's win yesterday] Last weekend they beat Fulham 3-0. However, they had lost to Everton in their previous league game, as well as crashing out of the FA Cup and Carling Cup during a tough period.

Mancini will have to start this magtch without the services of few key players. Mario Balotelli completes a four-match suspension, while the Toure brothers are still away on international duty. This is because they will line up for Ivory Coast in Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations final against Zambia before returning to England next week.

Captain and defender Vincent Kompany should return from a knee injury and it is Stefan Savic who is set to make way.

Meanwhile, midfielder Samir Nasri is also back in the side after his groin injury problem in the defeat against Fulham.

Possible lineups

Aston Villa : Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Agbonlahor, Petrov, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Keane, Bent.

Manchester City : Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Milner, Barry, Johnson, Silva, Aguero, Dzeko.

Predictions :

Take Manchester City to win and get back to the top of the Premiership

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Go for Manchester City to win here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main Be :
Get on Manchester City to win and regain the Premiership lead and give the 3/4 ball here