The preview article below is for last seasons game. However, we are also showing the game live on 17th August 2008. Kickoff is 3p.m.

Aston Villa will be hoping to capitalize on Manchester City's reputation as poor travelers when they welcome them to Villa Park this weekend.

Man City have collected just three points from their last five away matches and though they have looked impregnable at home, their woeful away form would have increased hopes of Villa registering their first league win in three matches.

A good start to the season has seen Villa emerge as genuine European challenges and the club is currently sitting comfortably in 8th position in the league table. With the club struggling to find form in their last three matches, Martin O'Neill will be hopeful that his side will be able to replicate last season's good form in the later half of the season that saw Villa put up consistent performances to ultimately finish 11th in the league table.

Meanwhile Sven Goran Eriksson will be looking to improve his side's away form if the club is to maintain its challenge for a European place come the end of the season and hope for a late push to break into the top four.

While City have won all of their nine matches at home, their away record has left much to be desired with the club managing to register just one win and lose four of the 8 matches played. However fans will be delighted with the performance of their club that has seen their club consistently maintain their position in the top four of the league table.

Man City had won the fixture 3-1 last season and Eriksson will be hoping that his side manages to repeat the performance this time around.

Watch Aston Villa vs Manchester City live on free-football.tv.