Blue Days

Roberto Mancini captured the importance of this game by describing it as a “semi-final” for the Champions League. He’s right in that if we lose then we’re likely to be out of the running. A draw could be enough for us, but Villa have to win.

Given – Needed to be on his toes from the off when a Agbonlahor flick nearly sneaked in. Otherwise the Irishman had surprisingly little to do. 6

Zabaleta – Did an excellent job in keeping Ashley Young quiet. The recalled Argentine international was decent in possession without really threatening the Villa defence. 7

We feared Villa’s strength at set-pieces, just as we knew the law of ex-players scoring, and so it proved with Richard Dunne bagging the first goal. Yet the character and quality of this City side saw Craig Bellamy crash in an equaliser in a game that bore all the hallmarks of full-blooded English football.

The pace of the game, and energy expended by both sides was typical of how Mark Hughes and Martin O’Neill like to see their sides play. This was never a cagey affair, even if clear cut chances were few and far between.

The chance to claim third place in the league and assert our ‘top four’ credentials over a strong rival is the aim in tonight’s clash at Villa Park. Mark Hughes has his biggest selection dilemma of the season with a host of attacking players to choose from, and it will be fascinating to see if he picks the right combination to unlock a Villa team that has only conceded five goals in six Premier League matches.

Both teams are in good …