Would The (Villar)Real Man City Please Stand Up!

What a difference a fortnight makes! Since Manchester City last played Villarreal at the Etihad Stadium we have played three games, won them all and scored fourteen goals! (That's an average of just under five goals a game). We beat a tough Wolves side in the League and progressed against the same team in the League Cup. I forget who the other game was against, some small club with an aging Manager based outside Manchester I think.



Villarreal, however, have not had the best of results in their fortnight between City meetings. After losing at the Etihad Stadium they went on to lose two of their games by a 3-0 scoreline before redeeming themselves somewhat against Rayo Vallecano, winning that tie on Saturday 2-0. However, it comes with a cost. While Mancini has managed to rotate his team through various lineups without losing momentum, Villareal have not and, as a result, find themselves heading into this very important Champions League game light.
During their last game Villarreal had Cani, Ruben and Senna pick up knocks and will most likely miss the game. Added to the list recently was Cristian Zapata who sprained ligaments in his right knee. This is not good news for Villarreal boss Juan Caris Garrido who went into the weekend already without starman Rossi and Nilmar.

Contrast that with City who actually welcome back Balotelli who, having served his ban, is back into contention making a very strong City front line stronger. This is a must win for both teams if they wish their Champions League aspirations alive into the knockout stages. With Napoli travelling to Munich in the other game of the group it gives City a chance to make up ground after a slow start.

Mancini must look to play with as much attacking prowess as they did in the last two weeks and go for the win. If we can get that then a Napoli win or draw would see us within a point of the Group leaders or if Munich win it will see us leapfrog Napoli into second place.

That said, City should not go into the match with any thought that it is job done, especially with the injury list that Villarreal have. This team can still be dangerous and in fact only three of those played in the first fixture are missing from this one. Also City have been a different team in the Champions League than the one we see week in, week out in the Premier League. Now is the time for the real Manchester City to stand up and be recognized!

Team Lineup Prediction: Hart, Lescott, Clichy, Kompany, Richards, Barry, Milner, Toure(Y), Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.

Result: 2-0 City.

Written By: PA Cityboy (www.facebook.com/pacityboy)