Aguero and Toure raring to beat Chelsea for a third time this season and add a bit of silverware to a frustrating campaign



Fresh from his match-winning cameo in the Manchester derby on Monday, Sergio Aguero is ready for Manchester City to record their third win over Chelsea this season in the FA Cup semi-final.



The Argentinian striker's 20-minute cameo made the difference for City in the 2-1 derby win over Manchester United on Monday night, his late goal earning City all three points at Old Trafford.



Now back to full fitness, Aguero is desperate for a bit of glory in what has been a frustrating season both personally and for his whole club.

Platform for success: Sergio Aguero greets City's train to London at Macclesfield train station

Match winner: Sergio Aguero (left) scores the late winner in the Manchester derby on Monday

'We’ve had three close games against Chelsea already this season and we expect the same again on Sunday,' said Aguero in an interview with the City club website, mcfc.co.uk

Frustration: Compared to a stellar first season, Aguero has struggled with injury and form this term

'We’ll go out looking to win like we did earlier this season when we faced them in the Community Shield and at home in the Premier League – it goes without saying we hope the result is the same this time around.'

Aguero's cameo against Manchester United followed another 20-minutes in the 4-0 win over Newcastle, marking his first appearances for City since the last time his team met Chelsea on February 24th.

Ccompared to his stellar debut season in Manchester, where he scored 30 goals in all competitions, including the title-winning goal against QPR on the final day, Aguero has had a fractured, injury-hit year with both he and City struggling - he only has 14 goals this term.

He bemoaned his own injuries, and those to his team-mates, but is ready for anything Benitez and Chelsea might offer his side.

'I think we are playing our best football of the season. We would have preferred to have reached this level earlier on, but it's true that during this season, injuries were a big problem,' he added.

'I think that Chelsea’s current manager is trying to use a patient approach to open teams up rather than utilise the counter-attack.

'Both teams have very good technical players who move the ball around, waiting for gaps to appear in the defence. It’s probably going to be a very open game and the team who keeps their head at the crucial moments will win.'

Aguero played in City's 3-2 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield in August and, unlike many commentators who believe the semi-final should be played away from the stadium, is happy to be playing at Wembley.

Raring to go: Aguero is looking for a third City win over Chelsea this season

'Wembley is major stadium to play football in and a great stage for players to show what they are capable of.

'Even though this is a semi-final, which already ensures it will be a thrilling game; it feels more like a final because of what is at stake.

'But there’s no time for regrets. We still have a lot to play for and our number one goal is to win everything we still can. This is a team that never gives up.

'Going forward, I think the main thing we have learned is not to doubt our ability as a team even when things are not going our way.

'We’ll always have to trust our strengths and our game. We will make mistakes and have our ups and downs, but if we believe in ourselves, the sky’s the limit.'

Delighted: Aguero was very pleased with his contribution to the win at Old Trafford

SERGIO AGUERO'S RECORD

2012/2013 - 32 appearances, 14 goals 2011/2012 - 48 appearances, 30 goals

And the striker was delighted with his own contribution in the win at Old Trafford.

'It’s always a good thing to score in a derby and even more so if it’s the winner,' he smiled. 'We lost the home derby in the very last minute and we didn’t deserve that so it was satisfying to win at Old Trafford.

'Personally, it’s rewarding to be able to score such an important goal, especially after spending a long time without playing because of an injury.

'I want to take the opportunity to thank all the members of the club’s medical staff that helped me recover. That goal was for them, too. Given the context, the moment and the fact it was a derby, it may possibly be one of my best goals so far.'

Bullish: Yaya Toure (left) is ready to add to his 2011 FA Cup winners medal

Ready to go: Toure shares a joke with Samir Nasri (right) during training

Aguero's city team-mate Yaya Toure is also bullish ahead of the match with Chelsea. When the teams met at the end of February in the Premier League, Toure scored an excellent opening goal in a 2-0 Manchester City victory.



The Ivory Coast midfielder was excellent in the two wins over Manchester United and Newcastle, and has an excellent record in big games at Wembley in sky blue - in their 2011 FA Cup win he scored winning goals in both semi-final, against United, and final, against Stoke.

Doubt: David Silva may miss the tie

'All we can do is do everything in our power to win the game both individually and as a team,' added Toure.

'When these matches come along, I just dig deep and do the best I can and perform to my optimum levels.



'We have a really tough challenge because Chelsea are a very good team and they have some fantastic players and to beat them we will have to be at our very best.

'We were faced with a similar challenge against Manchester United in 2011 and it was because we fought so hard and played really well that we beat them – the same is required on Sunday and we can’t leave the pitch with any regrets.

'I’m very focused on what we have to do and the whole team is and if we win, we will have done so because we deserve it.'

Toure is another that is happy for the semi-final to be played at the national stadium.



'Wembley is a very special place for me and I have some great memories from our last FA Cup run, particularly the semi-final and final for obvious reasons so I hope I can experience more great moments this season.'

An injury to Spanish playmaker David Silva has cast a shadow over City's preparations for the match, but Toure knows if Silva does not recover in time, he will be up to the job of filling that void.

'Wherever I am asked to play I will give my all and focus on the job I have to do for the team,' he said. 'The manager will tell me where he wants to play and if David isn’t fit, it’s true that it could affect my role on the day.

Filling the void: Toure, who scored the opening goal of the win over Chelsea in February, could fill in for Silva

'David is such an important player for us we are obviously hoping that he recovers in time. He has such quality is quick, clever with fantastic movement and is technically brilliant so it would be a big loss to the team.

'If he doesn’t play, it will make it harder for us because in games like this, you need your best players but we have many fantastic footballers at this club and as long as we give our best game, we will have a good chance of making the final.'