Manuel Pellegrini insists he is not worried that Manchester City are already five points adrift of Chelsea in the Premier League table.
"We are just starting out, although it is not good that we are five points behind Chelsea. But look at what happened last year - we have one point more than last year and Arsenal were maybe six points ahead of us.
"Last year we didn't win the first three games away, today we have seven from nine from away matches. The important thing is to try playing the same way we did against Hull last weekend."
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini rejects suggestions that star midfielder Yaya Toure deserves criticism for his recent form.
"When we play well it is because the most important player in the team plays well," says the Chilean. "When we play bad it is because the whole team plays bad. It is not fair to single out one player because this team doesn't rely on one player."
Manchester City's defending has not been good enough in recent matches, admits boss Manuel Pellegrini.
"We must concentrate more on defending because we need a clean sheet. In the last three games we conceded five goals."
City boss Pellegrini says he has been impressed by sixth-placed Villa's start to the season. Paul Lambert's men have taken 10 points from their opening six matches.
"Aston Villa have special players, and the team puts us under pressure for 90 minutes so it will be difficult," he says.
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini says he has no new injury concerns for Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.
"We have just one player injured, Samir Nasri, all other players in the squad are fit. Both Fernando and Nastasic are OK," says the Chilean. "I think Sergio Aguero is 100%."
So everyone fit apart from Nasri.