Aston Villa v Manchester City Betting Preview

Aston Villa host Manchester City this Saturday evening hoping that new signing Darren Bent can inspire them to a much needed victory that would lift them away from the relegation zone.

Villa smashed their transfer record to bring in England striker Bent for a fee in the region of £20million earlier this week. The former Sunderland forward has eight Premier League goals to his name already this season and will be hoping to capitalise on City’s shaky defence of late.

Roberto Mancini has issued a call to arms to his defence that have conceded seven goals in their last three games in all competitions.

"If you don't concede a lot of goals then at the end of the season you will win something," said the Italian.

"We must improve and work harder. It is all about concentration."

Perhaps that realization from Mancini could mean that he will set his side up with a slightly more negative attitude this Saturday. Under 2.5 goals is available to back at odds of 5/6 with the reciprocal selection at Evens.

Having said that they’ll also be keen to utilise their own recent big-money signing Edin Dzeko who is expected to start his second game in a sky blue shirt. The Citizens are hoping that the Bosnian striker can compliment the in-form Carlos Tevez in the attacking third of the pitch and certainly won’t want to go too negative in their approach and thus neutralise their main assets.

City are 11/10 to pick up the three points that they are likely to need in order to keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester United whilst Villa are 11/4 to get the three points that would offer them some breathing space above the relegation zone.

Three points are up for grabs but for extremely varying Premier League ambitions. The outcome could be dependent upon which big money signing justifies his price tag.