Last Updated: Sat, 02 Mar 2013 13:41
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini believes that Aston Villa do not deserve to be in the bottom three of the Premier League.
The 48-year-old has seen his side falter over recent games and the Premier League champions now sit 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester United, although they have won their last two - including a 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
The Italian's side prepares to take on Paul Lambert's team on Monday night but he doesn't expect it to be a walk in the park despite the difference in the Premier League standings.
The ex-Inter boss insists that Villa deserve to be higher in the table and he will not take them for granted, especially after the shock 3-1 defeat to Southampton last month.
"Aston Villa are in a difficult situation. I don't know their situation very well but for me they have good players," he said.
"Maybe they have young players and this is the reason they fight against relegation.
"But it is my opinion they have good players and probably they don't deserve to stay there."
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