Blues in need of Aguero firepower

MANUEL Pellegrini hopes Sergio Aguero will return for Manchester City next week after his misfiring side dropped crucial points at Aston Villa.

The manager wants the striker to return after Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Fernando, who hit the bar, blew three golden chances in the 0–0 draw at Aston Villa.

Wilfried Bony also limped off with a hamstring injury in the first half to add to City’s attacking woes as they drew a blank for just the second time this season.

HAMSTRING

Aguero has been out for seven games with a hamstring injury, but Pellegrini confirmed he is close to a comeback.

“I hope Sergio, Samir Nasri and Pablo Zabaleta will do their last work with the physio and next Monday will start working with the squad,” he said.

“We will see in the way he (Aguero) improves this week, but I think he can be (fit after the international break).

“It will be easier for us to have a striker.

“Bony has a hamstring injury and we will see how long he will be.

“Maybe he must go (with the Ivory Coast) because the doctor of his country must review him, but I don’t think he will be playing.”

Despite the stalemate, Pellegrini refused to blame his wasteful side, including De Bruyne after his flicked backheel was scuffed wide from just four yards.

He said: “Those are the decisions the players have in one second and he decides it’s the way to finish.

“It is difficult to tell him he has to do it another way.

“I don’t have anything to complain to our team (about). They played very well.

“We were very unlucky with three or four clear options we had.”

The point ended a run of seven straight defeats for Villa, but they remain bottom of the Barclays Premier League, five points from safety, after Remi Garde’s first game in charge.

They have won just once this season – on the opening day – but Garde was pleased with the result, despite admitting Villa were fortunate.

He said: “We have been a bit lucky because they touched the bar, we didn’t create so many chances, but it’s a good point to work on. I was pleased with the effort the players put in.”