Despite failing to have a single shot on target against City, Villa kept their first clean sheet since their opening-day win at Bournemouth.
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“We’re disappointed because I think we did enough to we the game” Pellegrini said.
“It is hard to know at this moment how serious his hamstring injury is”, he said in a news conference at Villa Park. “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”.
“We have finished this part of the season very well”.
City were once again without striker Sergio Aguero, but Sky Sports’ Thierry Henry said the absence of the Argentina worldwide can not be used as an excuse despite the missed chances.
Manchester City could have played for another two hours at Aston Villa … and still not scored!
“I always say if you can’t win, don’t lose”, said Pellegrini. You create that, the behaviour you need to get lucky.
He has missed 10 games already this season but after coming on for Yaya Toure against Villa, Delph is aiming for a belated lift-off to his City career.
Asked whether the draw against City will have changed the perception outside the squad that Villa are doomed for the drop, Garde replied: “Hopefully yes but I am not going to fight (opinions) outside the club”.
His opposite number Remi Garde was understandably happy after his first match as Villa manager ended a terrible run of seven successive defeats that led to the sacking of Tim Sherwood. But I think you have to factor in that City were not at it in those first 45 minutes.
Domestic league action is now put on hold for the global break, which City manager Pellegrini believes should aid his side.
Although they were undoubtedly fortunate to do so given the chances that Manuel Pellegrini’s side spurned throughout the game, it was a result that Villa can build on moving forward and take confidence from after ending their eight-game losing streak in the league. “Especially for a few of our lads, he has given them a real boost”.
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Having failed to score, it no surprise that they must still work on their killer instinct in the final third.
