Arsenal
Kolo Toure left Arsenal on good terms when he moved to City last summer after spending seven successful years at the North London club. The 29-year-old defender admits he is looking forward to returning and says it could be a good time to play against the Gunners. “I have always a great relationship with the (Arsenal) fans,” he added. “(Now) I am in a new family and I think they are all fantastic. “I think it is going to be a great, great day for all of us because we are all looking forward to going back and playing against our old team. I think it is a great time to play against them because they have a few injured players and maybe we can come back with some points.”
Aston Villa
Aston Villa have a fresh trio of injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s Second City derby with Birmingham at Villa Park. Skipper Stiliyan Petrov, central defender Richard Dunne and left-back Stephen Warnock all suffered setbacks during Wednesday night’s 2-0 success at Hull City. Dunne picked up a head injury in a clash with Tigers striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink although he was able to return after having it bandaged. Villa manager Martin O’Neill said: “I think Richard’s cut may have reopened (after stitches) but I’m hoping he is going to be okay.” Warnock sustained a knock to his ankle, although he managed to complete the 90 minutes, and midfielder Petrov came off six minutes from time with a groin injury shortly after Villa’s second goal. O’Neill added: “Stephen was kicked twice in the same spot within a matter of moments but he carried on to the end. Stiliyan had a kick in the groin which was very sore at half-time but he stayed on until close to the end. We’ll see how they are.”
Birmingham City
Craig Gardner wants to score the winner in Sunday’s derby at former club Aston Villa but will “not go over the top” with his goal celebrations if he realises that dream. Gardner spent all his career with Villa before making a
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