I have read reports that Mark Hughes is already under pressure just a few months into his new job at Manchester City which is absolutely crazy in my opinion. Ok so he inherited a lot of money but he is still trying to find a balance for his team.

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Mark Hughes has spoken of his belief that Manchester City can become “bigger than the Big Four” but made it clear that he expects the club’s new owners to show him “respect” and allow him to choose which players they sign.

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Mounting speculation concerning the vacant managerial post at Blackburn suggests Newcastle legend Alan Shearer is the front runner for the job. The former Rovers striker is one of a number of candidates for the position alongside the likes of MK Dons manager Paul Ince, Sam Allardyce and Steve McClaren.

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This surely is an exciting time to be a Manchester City fan. After a demoralising last few months when Sven Goran Eriksson’s future lay in the balance the appointment of Mark Hughes as manager points to a brighter future for the club.

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Now Mark Hughes has taken over at Manchester City the shambolic last few months of the season seem a distant memory. The former Welsh International manager has proven himself an excellent Premier League manager in 3 and a half seasons at Blackburn and his appointment has led to renewed optimism at Eastlands.

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What are Blackburn Rovers thinking? The club has given Mark Hughes permission to talk to Manchester City, accepting it’s time for Hughes to move on to bigger and better things. Blackburn fans, you must be gutted. Your club has basically conceded that Man City is a better club. So I’m asking - Where’s your self belief?

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The Sven Goran Eriksson Saga is finally over at Manchester City after the club finally announced that the Swede has departed with the Mexican national job his likely destination. Now that the debacle is finally over, club owner Thaksin Shinawatra has to find a replacement to appease the fans who had generally taken Eriksson to their hearts after a good first season.

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Villa have a good recent record against Blackburn including a 4-0 win at Ewood Park back in November. The Villans have won the last 3 encounters with Rovers and have scored 8 goals in the process. Mark Hughes’ side have won just one of the last 7 meetings (lost 5) and have not won at Villa Park for 4 years. Villa have won the last 3 encounters at home without conceding a goal. In fact, they have only conceded in 1 of the last 6 against Rovers at home (5 wins). With those stats in mind, the home side should be strong favourites.

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Gareth Southgate looks set to do a fair bit of business in the January transfer window with a striker high on the list of priorities but its the distant sound of the samba drums that will be exciting the Boro fans. The Riverside has been a haven for a number of Brazilian imports over the years including Juninho (3 spells at the club), Emerson, Branco and Fabio Rochemback. This January there could be a couple more to add to the list in the shape of strikers Afonso Alves and Fred.

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Both sides ended the year on a high with wins, Rovers European ambitions were reignited and Sunderland’s dreams of survival boosted as they climbed out of the drop zone. Blackburn are looking for their first back-to-back wins since October but will be aware they have won just 1 of their last 5 games at Ewood Park. Mark Hughes’ side have failed to score in 4 of their last 5 home matches so the Black Cats will fancy their chances of an upset. Roy Keane will know that the Rovers defence has been less than watertight after keeping just 1 clean-sheet in their last 15 League games so don’t be surprised if Kenwyne Jones gets on the score-sheet.

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