Aston Villa v Manchester City: Silva must shine, Kelechi primed and other key issues

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini has plenty to ponder ahead of his team's FA Cup clash with Aston Villa on Saturday.

Step up Silva

David Silva has, at times, cut an unusually anonymous figure since his return from a lengthy injury lay-off in late November.

His showing against Everton as City clinched their place in the Capital One Cup final in midweek was a significant improvement on a performance against West Ham last weekend that some labelled his poorest in a City shirt.

A minor muscle injury may have accounted for some less than impressive displays from a player that is rarely a target for criticism but Pellegrini said recently: “Now he is feeling better so I hope he will finish the season in his best performance.”

Kevin de Bruyne’s absence - and with it an unrivalled combination of goals and assists - makes that all the more vital.

Carry on Willy

Many questioned the logic of not using the best available when a Wembley final was at stake on Wednesday, but Willy Caballero will continue as City’s cup keeper against Aston Villa with England No.1 Joe Hart again on the bench.

Despite not being in his colleague’s class, Caballero did a decent enough job against the Toffees with an important save one-on-one from Gerard Deulofeu, while only the most uncharitable critic would blame him for being beaten by Ross Barkley’s cracker.

Kelechi time

Those Blues desperate to see the young Nigerian get a chance from the start are starting to question whether Manuel Pellegrini sees the striker as anything more than a bit-part player.

But his productive introduction against West Ham and De Bruyne’s misfortune means the 19-year-old has a decent case to build his nascent partnership with Sergio Aguero asNo.10 to the Argentine’s spearhead.

Good Nic

Nicolas Otamendi showed his best and worst against Everton in midweek. He executed some well-timed tackles and took the lead in his central defensive pairing with Martin Demichelis, but was also guilty of some iffy passing and rash lunges.

With Demichelis hamstrung by his lack of pace, Pellegrini will want more of the kind of measured approach Otamendi showed in the second half against Everton and less of the defensive disorganisation that allowed Barkley to stride forward unopposed to strike in his wonder goal.

Up for the Cup

Though the FA Cup and Capital One Cup are third and fourth respectively on City’s priority list, that doesn’t mean Pellegrini won’t be taking it seriously.

Having secured a final spot in the League Cup, progress towards another would keep an unlikely quadruple mission alive. Pellegrini will want his hands on as much silverware as possible in what could be his final season with the club.