United? I'd just settle for a goal, says Pearce

The good news for Manchester City fans is that the Premiership title cannot be won at Eastlands by the arch-enemy — Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United — this coming weekend. It is pretty evident, however, that it will not be lost there either.

Takeover talk may be rife and now that Sam Allardyce is available his name is inevitably being linked with the City manager's job.

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But neither the speculation nor United's imminent coronationwas the hot topic as Stuart Pearce's players allowed Aston Villa to consign City to their seventh home defeat of the season.

The big issue? City have not scored a League goal at the City of Manchester Stadium since Georgios Samaras somehow helped himself to two in the New Year's Day victory over Everton.

That is 648 minutes of anguish for the longsuffering City supporters. Just 10 goals have been scored at home all season, one fewer than the all-time Premiership low set by Sunderland in 2002-03.

There is only one home game left to play — against a United team aiming wrap up their ninth Premiership title as soon as possible. So can City stop United? Not even Pearce is willing to back his players to pull that one off.

Pearce said: "We'll be playing a fantastic side who are arguably one of the best in the world and they just happen to be our local rivals. Is it the worst possible game? It's a tough one, let's just say that.

"I think our home form since January is the thing which has disappointed us most, especially our lack of goals. But we've got to address that and the lads have to pick themselves up.

"I've got to prepare a team I think will be good enough to beat United and there are not too many teams who've done that."

Ending their goal drought before United roll up would have eased the pressure on City and Pearce.

But once John Carew punished them for slack defending by heading Villa ahead on 24 minutes, Pearce's team rarely looked like scoring.

There was even a sense of inevitability when Joey Barton stepped up to send a penalty high over the crossbar on 45 minutes.

It was the same when Emile Mpenza broke through to face Thomas Sorensen, only to shoot straight at the goalkeeper's legs.

Villa were never totally secure at 1-0 but Shaun Maloney made the game safe with a 25-yard free-kick five minutes after coming off the substitutes' bench.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Being a Celtic lad all his life, Shaun had been feeling a bit homesick these last few weeks and that's understandable. But I hope we see the best of him next season and that goal will give him a boost."