Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Gareth McAuley’s Sergio Aguero plan
Friday 23rd December 2011, 1:00PM GMT.
West Brom defender Gareth McAuley is hoping that doing his homework can help him stop red-hot striker Sergio Aguero on Boxing Day.
The Argentina international looks set to lead the Manchester City attack at the Hawthorns as the Premier League leaders look to boost their title hopes at the Baggies’ expense.
And Northern Ireland international McAuley has been brushing up on the 23-year-old by studying his movement on television.
The summer signing from Atletico Madrid has scored 15 times in 18 starts for City and netted twice in Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Stoke.
McAuley said: “I watched the Arsenal game on TV and his movement was second to none.
“His movement in and around the box is different class and it’s going to be a big task and a big job, in terms of concentration, for whoever plays against him.
“You watch and you learn things and I saw little movements that he makes and little spins that he does.
“He’s got the players to feed him because they’ve got quality players. So we’ve got to stop it at source.”
But McAuley believes the Baggies are capable of upsetting City after pushing Manchester United and Chelsea close, before losing both games 2-1, in the first eight days of the season.
He said: “The lads were fantastic and it was only the odd deflected goal that meant we didn’t come away with anything.
“It’s got to be a disciplined performance on Boxing Day and it will have to be a massive team effort.”
McAuley insists the pressure is still on, despite back-to-back away wins at Blackburn and Newcastle lifting Albion to 10th in the Premier League.
He added: “We have to go and do it again.”
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