Aguero staying with City

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has insisted the club have no intention of allowing Sergio Aguero to leave.

Sergio Aguero takes a shot on goal against the Chelsea during a friendly match last night.

The Premier League side's leading scorer has recently been linked with a move back to Spain with Real Madrid long-term admirers of the former Atletico star.



However, Soriano has been quick to dismiss any suggestions Aguero could be on the move.



"This has gone on and on and on. We have had discussions with Sergio and his agent about several things and he has never expressed the willingness to go," insisted Soriano.



"We have never had an offer and even if we had an offer we would say no."



Soriano did admit that the club were already in talks with 'several' new players.



"We are at the closing phase with several of them but the closing phase can take one week or three months."



He also suggested the club would open talks with Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez, who are both now entering the final year of their contracts.



"They are obviously two very good players and the discussions are going to take place," he said.

Aguero: We could have done better

Sergio Aguero insists FA Cup glory will suffice for Manchester City this season, but has urged his team-mates to set higher standards in the future.



Aguero, 24, avoided sanction for his challenge on David Luiz in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea after helping his side into the final with a decisive second-half goal.



City's Premier League defence is all but over and the FA Cup may prove a much-needed reprieve from the disappointment of finishing bottom of their Champions League group.



When asked if the season will be deemed successful with a win in the cup final, Aguero said: "In a sense, yes, but in another you have to remember that we have a great team, a strong squad, that is capable of fighting to win more trophies.



"We could have done better. It is a club that has not won a lot in the past and at least if we win one trophy then everything is good for the club. We're really happy to be in the final. It was what we wanted from the game.



"We are too many points from (Manchester) United in the league, and this is the only cup that we can win, so we have to take it seriously. It's crucial that we try to win something every year, whether that's a cup or the league.



"This year, we cannot win the league, we are too far away, but this is an important cup in England, for the club, and for everyone."



City face a quick turnaround ahead of Wednesday's Premier League match against Wigan, although Aguero is confident his side's elimination from Europe has kept them refreshed during the latter stages of the season.



"Sometimes it's better to have played more games, because it gives you greater playing rhythm, but at the same time it means you get more tired, more quickly," Aguero added.



"But it was a very big pitch at Wembley, and we are a team that works very hard and that means we are all very tired. But yes, we have a lot of energy. We will all be able to give our all until the season ends, so that we can finish on a high, finishing well in the league and winning the cup.



"I try to do the best for the team and give the most I can in every game, that's all. Lately, I have scored a few important goals, but all that matters is that the team wins."

Aguero may face ban

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is waiting to find out whether the FA will ban him retrospectively for an ugly two-footed lunge on Chelsea's David Luiz in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.



Luiz appeared to catch Aguero with an elbow as the pair chased the ball in the 82nd minute and the Manchester City forward retaliated by diving in two-footed on the prone Blues defender.

Aguero had earlier scored what turned out to be the winner in City's 2-1 triumph but the FA will discuss the Luiz clash with ref Chris Foy, who only gave Chelsea a free-kick.

Blues boss Rafael Benitez was furious about the incident and, when asked about it after the game, tersely replied: "See the video. I will not talk about other players."

But he added: "I'm very disappointed at the moment, you have officials to make decisions. It's something they have to clarify."

Luiz says he forgives Aguero but thinks the forward should apologise for the challenge.

"I forgive everybody in my life but Aguero is a great player and he needs to honest with himself and say I don't like to do bad tackles," said the Brazilian.

"If it was the opposite, and I did the tackle, I would say 'sorry, this is not me, this is not good for football'. Kids watch the game and need to see good things.

"We need to show football is beautiful. In games like this both teams want to win, sometimes people can be angry and do things they don't want to do."



Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini said: "I don't know what he did but usually Aguero takes a lot of kicks from the defenders.

"The referee was there. There are six referees."

Aguero targets third Chelsea win

Sergio Aguero is aiming for a hat-trick of wins against Chelsea when Manchester City take on Rafa Benitez's team in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.



City started their season by defeating Chelsea 3-2 in the Community Shield and secured a 2-0 win over the European champions in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.



They also drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge in November in Benitez's first game in charge after succeeding Roberto Di Matteo.

"We've had three close games against Chelsea already this season and we expect the same again on Sunday," Aguero told City's official website.



"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.

The Argentine striker believes Benitez has changed Chelsea's style of play, explaining: "I think that Chelsea's current manager is trying to use a patient approach to open teams up rather than utilise the counter-attack. It's probably going to be a very open game and the team who keeps their head at the crucial moments will win."



Because of injury, Aguero has not started a game since February's 2-0 win over Chelsea but he came off the bench to decide Monday's Manchester derby.



And he believes that spectacular strike ranks among his best goals.

"It's always a good thing to score in a derby and even more so if it's the winner," he added. "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. Given the context, the moment and the fact it was a derby, it may possibly be one of my best goals so far."

Kompany and Aguero close to return

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is confident Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero will return against Newcastle on 30 March.

City captain Kompany has been out since January with a calf problem.

Striker Aguero, 24, has not played since sustaining a knee injury in the 2-0 win over Chelsea on 24 February.

"Vincent is not in our plans for [Everton] but I think he will be ready for the Newcastle game, like Sergio," Mancini said.



"It is difficult. Vinny is a really important player for us and now it is 45 days he has been out. It is a big problem.

"Sergio is in Argentina but he will come back on Sunday."

The City manager has also denied speculation linking him with a move to Russian side Zenit St Petersburg.



The Italian added: "It is cold here, I think St Petersburg is [colder]? It is absolutely not true."

Sergio Aguero has only managed nine Premier League goals this season after scoring 23 on the way to City winning the title in his first campaign in England.