Mancini will rest his stars

Roberto Mancini has confirmed he will rotate his Manchester City players for this weekend's clash with Aston Villa.

The Citizens had 16 players on international duty over the past fortnight but, fortunately, all have returned to Carrington unscathed.

Mancini will, however, provide the players who are most tired with a period of rest in what will be a tough encounter with Aston Villa.

Alex McLeish's side are unbeaten in the Barclays Premier League this season, and travel to the Ethihad Stadium full of confidence.

Mancini, though, knows his players will be up to the test.

"It is very important that we start back in the Premier League with a victory," he said.

"But it will be hard because Aston Villa are a very good team. They haven’t lost a game yet. We will need to play very well.




 

"This year will be like this, with so many matches. We will take it game after game. So now Aston Villa is the most important game for us. We will rest the players who are most tired.

"Alex McLeish is a good manager. He has the experience in the Premier League and a good team with good players. They have started the season very well. It will be a tough game for us.

"Fortunately we don't have anybody coming back from international duty injured, but I am sure we have four or five who are very tired. Two games in four days is hard."