Aston Villa vs Manchester City Betting Analysis

Aston Villa fans haven't had a great deal to cheer about this season, but their gradually improving side look an appealing enough bet at 11/8 (Bet365) to see off Stuart Pearce's injury-hit Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening.It wasn't so long ago David O'Leary looked to be starring down the barrel at Villa Park. A desperately disappointing start to the campaign, typified by abject performances, not least when crashing out of the League Cup (3-0) at the hands of League One side Doncaster, looked to have put O'Leary's tenure at the club in serious jeopardy.However, after some much needed soul-searching, his side is finally beginning to fight for each other and have only lost twice since Boxing Day. A big improvement when you consider the Villans woeful start to the beginning of the 2005/06 campaign.Recent draws against a dangerous Spurs side and champions elect Chelsea suggests Villa have finally found some resilience, whilst away at Middlesbrough in their penultimate game, they produced their finest display of the season so far, hitting the net four times to ease any relegation fears.Admittedly, they came unstuck at home to Newcastle last week, but had it not been for a Milan Baros penalty miss and some inspired goalkeeping from Shay Given, the men in burgundy and blue would have gained a point that their efforts undoubtedly deserved.The form of striker Luke Moore is also a big factor for anyone tempted to have a wager on the Villans. Despite facing competition from the likes of Angel, Baros and Phillips, the 20-year-old has not looked back since seizing a place in the staring eleven, banging in five goals in his last three games to improve Villa's fortunes.Indeed, at a best priced 15/2 (bet365) he looks a fine bet to continue his hot streak with the first goal in this game, something that doesn't look out of the question when you consider that City's central defensive partnership of Richard Dunne and Sylvain Distin have looked anything but water-tight on occasions this term.That's not taking anything away from Stuart Pearce's battlers. After all, they sit five places above Sunday's hosts in the Premiership and have every chance of clinching a UEFA cup spot come May after claiming another three points with the 3-2 win over Charlton at the weekend.If there is one criticism that can be levelled at Pearce's side though, it's the fact that they have been unable to reproduce their excellent home form on the road. Indeed, their results away from the City of Manchester Stadium have been more in keeping with a side like Sunderland, winning just one of their last nine away trips, drawing one and losing the other seven.That in itself is enough to give Villa confidence, as will the news that City will be without their top scorer and talisman Andy Cole. The veteran striker will miss the next month after undergoing surgery on his knee, and his absence should not be understated, especially when you consider the excellent partnership him and Darius Vassell have struck up this term.To make matters worse for the boys in blue, the reliable Trevor Sinclair is also in danger of missing the cup tie after an operation on his cheekbone this week.It goes without saying that Pearce's side will not buckle easily, but their form away from home is poor and without Cole, this looks a perfect opportunity for the hosts to bounce back to winning ways and march through to the quarter-finals of the FA-Cup.ADVICE:2pts Aston Villa at 11/8 (bet365)0.5pts Luke Moore to score first (15/2)