[Mighty T.A.L.]

Manchester City look to get back to winning ways at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1.

The two sides go into the game in contrasting form with City having lost their last two games and Villa the exact opposite.

Villa new boy Curtis Davies is pushing for a place in the side after returning to training, but he is likely to have to content himself with a place on the bench.

Olof Mellberg is expected to continue at right-back with Zat Knight and Martin Laursen set to resume their central defensive partnership.

Loan signing Scott Carson will remain in goal ahead of Thomas Sorensen and Stuart Taylor, as Martin O'Neill keeps faith with the side that beat Chelsea last time out.

City go into the game without skipper Richard Dunne as he is suspended.

Dunne is ruled out following his sending off against Blackburn, which rules him out of his first Premier League game in 18 months.

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is sweating over the fitness of midfield duo Geovanni and Michael Johnson ahead of the game.

Geovanni is struggling with a calf problem he picked up in training, while Johnson missed England Under 21 duty in midweek with a groin problem.

Andreas Isaksson is fit again after recovering from a broken thumb, but he could find it hard to dislodge Kasper Schmeichel in goal.

Young forward Daniel Sturridge has joined long-term absentee Valeri Bojinov on the injury list.

Skysports