Preview: Manchester City vs. Aston Villa

Manchester City will be hoping to move to the top of the Premier League with a victory over Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United do not play until Saturday evening so manager Roberto Mancini will be hoping his side can put pressure on their rivals to head the league table.

Mancini could opt to keep the same side that defeated Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Striker Edin Dzeko came off the bench to score the winning goal in that game but he has had a greater impact as a substitute this season and Mancini may decide to retain Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is likely to keep faith in the side that almost sealed a surprise win over Manchester United in their last match.

Two Andreas Weimann goals had given Villa a 2-0 lead before they were pegged back to lose 3-2, but after an impressive team performance, Lambert will be hoping that his players can repeat the level of their display at the Etihad Stadium.

Recent form

Manchester City: WWWWDW

Aston Villa: DLLDWL

Possible starting lineups:

Manchester City: Hart; Kompany, Zabaleta, Clichy, Nastasic; Barry, Silva, Y Toure, Kolarov; Aguero, Tevez

Aston Villa: Guzan; Vlaar, Clark, Stevens, Lowton; Ireland, Westwood, Bannan, Agbonlahor; Benteke, Weimann

Sports Mole says: 3-1