Premier League preview: Aston Villa v Manchester City

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has high hopes signing Darren Bent will score on debut for the club against Manchester City on Saturday.

The French boss said the former Sunderland goal scorer has a knack of finding the back of the net when he starts afresh at clubs, and he is hopeful history can repeat on Saturday at Villa Park.

“Regarding his debut, all I can say is that he has a good habit, that when he starts somewhere, he scores,” Houllier said.

“Maybe a warning to Roberto Mancini and Manchester City, but if he starts, maybe he will score.”

Bent said he wanted to vindicate Villa’s decision to sign him for the sum of 18 million pounds.

“I want to help Villa get some points on the board. They are in a false position. They have shown great faith in me, which I’m very proud of,” Bent said.

City midfielder Adam Johnson said his side was still on track to challenge for the English Premier League title, despite their struggles in a grittty 4-2 win over Championship side Leicester in a FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday.

“We are improving week-in and week-out and I am sure there is a lot more to come. Sometimes the final passes have let us down but some of the football has been different class and it all seems to be clicking for us,” he said.

“We are getting better with each game. Every game we win is a step closer. Excitement is building now; all the lads can feel it. We just want matches to keep coming now. Hopefully, it will lead us to win one of the cup competitions or the Premier League.”

City are level with rivals Manchester United at the top of the table, but the Red Devils have two games in hand on Roberto Mancini’s men.

It means City must continue picking up full points if they are to stay in the title race.

Villa will be hoping to avenge their 4-0 thumping at the hands of the Eastlands club in late December, but may not have to worry about the threat of another Mario Balotelli hat-trick.

The Italian teenager may miss a starting spot, with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko likely to trump him in the 11.