Squad sheets: Aston Villa v Manchester City

Darren Bent, the £24m signing from Sunderland, will have proved his worth immediately if he succeeds for Aston Villa in this game. Manchester City have lost only two of their 11 away matches in the Premier League, with Roberto Mancini's side conceding only nine goals – fewer than any other side – on those travels. The hosts would be under stress in any case. They have not won at home in the League since 11 December and are a place above the relegation zone purely because they have scored more goals than Wigan. Kevin McCarra Venue Villa Park, Saturday 5.30pm Tickets £24-41 (0800 612 0970) Last season Aston Villa 1 Man City 1 Referee Howard Webb This season's matches 18 Y 56, R 1, 3.17 cards per game Odds Aston Villa 11-4 Man City 11-10 Draw 12-5 Aston Villa Subs from Marshall, Lichaj, Bannan, Agbonlahor, Cuéllar, Pires, Delfouneso, Hogg, Herd, Warnock, L Young Doubtful L Young (hip) Injured Delph (match fitness, 29 Jan), Ireland (knee, 29 Jan) Suspended Heskey (last of three) Form guide DLDLLW Disciplinary record Y46 R1 Leading scorer Downing 5 Manchester City Subs from Given, Zabaleta, Jô, Vieira, Lescott, Milner, Wright-Phillips, Boyata, Richards, A Johnson, Adebayor Doubtful Boyata (hamstring), Richards (back) Injured Balotelli (knee, 12 Feb), M Johnson (match fitness, unknown) Suspended None Form guide WDWWWL Disciplinary record Y48 R5 Leading scorer Tevez 14 Match pointers • These sides met on this day in 1983 at Villa Park and played out a 1-1 draw with goals from Gary Shaw (Villa) and Asa Hartford (City) • City have lost only two of their previous 18 meetings with Villa in all competitions • Villa have dropped the joint most points from winning positions (14) in the Premier League this season • City scored four goals from only six shots on target when these sides met at Eastlands in December • Villa have conceded five penalties in their last five league games against City