Premier League preview: Aston Villa v Manchester City

Aston Villa’s winless streak at home is likely to go on for another week with Manchester City visiting on Sunday.

The Birmingham-based club has not won at Villa Park in six matches including four defeats, their last home victory coming against Norwich on November 5.

League leaders Manchester City are unlikely to be in a generous mood with Manchester United only two points behind.

But Villa can take some confidence from having beaten Manchester City on their home turf last season.

Debutant Darren Bent scored after 18 minutes, after joining Aston Villa from Sunderland, and the home side held firm as City poured forward for the rest of the match.

Aston Villa lost 2-1 at Newcastle last week, a game in which Robbie Keane scored his third goal since joining the Midlands side on loan.

But despite the Ireland international’s good form, he will not be staying in Birmingham much longer after Los Angeles Galaxy rejected Villa’s proposal to extend Keane’s loan move.

Keane will return to the Galaxy after Villa’s trip to Wigan on February 25, which will concern Alex McLeish due to the Irishman’s impact on the team.

The 31-year-old has linked well with strike-partner Darren Bent, who has scored three goals in the past four matches, as well as countryman Stephen Ireland, who has begun to find some form.

McLeish will also be concerned by the responses of Ireland and Charles N’Zogbia to being substituted against Newcastle after both players publicly expressed their dissatisfaction in what has been a tough season for all concerned at Villa Park.

Villa are 13th on the Premier League table with 28 points, although a win on Sunday could see them move as high as 10th depending on other results.

In contrast, Manchester City is flying high, top of the league with 57 points.

City beat Fulham 3-0 last week as Sergio Aguero ended a five-game run without a goal, scoring from the penalty spot.

The Argentine also set up Edin Dzeko for their side’s third goal in the comfortable win.

City boss Roberto Mancini is expected to bring Vincent Kompany back into the starting line-up, after the 25-year-old captain missed the Fulham game with a slight knee problem.