The Blues boss is eagerly anticipating the first home game of his reign and will demand another step up from the midweek draw against Celtic when he says he saw real progress being made.
Brazilian playmaker Elano, who was left behind with a slight thigh strain in midweek, will re-enter calculations and there will be plenty of clues on offer in the Thomas Cook Trophy game with regard to the Premier League opener at Villa.
That will almost certainly mean more game time in the centre of defence for Tal Ben Haim and Micah Richards, who are likely to be the chosen central pairing for the opening two league games as skipper Richard Dunne serves a two-match ban for being sent off at Middlesbrough at the end of last season.
Hughes hopes that fellow UEFA Cup hopefuls Milan will field as many of their star names as possible in what he expects and trusts will be a highly competitive afternoon.
"We stepped up a notch at Celtic on Wednesday night," said the manager. "I asked the players for a performance and they delivered. I wanted to see us take the game to the opposition more and I think that I saw that.
"We will always keep the ball well and circulate it well but I thought we were quite dynamic at times.
"We broke quickly and that is something we want to introduce into the side.
"What has struck me with the group when I started working with them is that we have some blistering pace and if we can incorporate that into the side then we are a real threat to the opposition.
Value
"Our goal at Celtic showed its value because when we broke we did so with pace and power and that augurs well."
One of those who particularly tested Hughes' version of the speed trap was winger Kelvin Etuhu who started two league games under Sven-Goran Eriksson last season.
If he can find a little more finesse with his final ball the 20-year-old could yet find himself filling the right wing berth that has been problematical for the Blues since the departure of Shaun Wright-Phillips.
"Kelvin is a young player still learning the position but he has real pace and promise," said the boss.
"I liked a lot of what I saw from players in midweek because we also pressured the opposition well in their own half and played much of the game in their territory. That is what I wanted us to do and what I want to see again tomorrow against Milan.
"It is another big test for us and is the right game and the right quality of opposition at the right time. We have to re-inforce what we are trying to do.
"I think Milan will bring a strong squad, they are preparing for a very important season themselves so I think they will see this game at our stadium as a good one to bring them on.
"They have some exceptionally gifted players and they will be here to do a job as well.
"Milan lost heavily to Chelsea in their last game and that was a result that surprised me, you don't often see them lose 5-0! On the back of that we are the next in line so we had better watch out.
"In a way I hope there's a backlash because we want a competitive game. Some pre-season games don't have a lot of contact in them and are not games that prepare you in the correct way, but I anticipate that this one will be very different. I am looking forward to Saturday.
"It has been a very impressive pre-season programme for us, we have competitive games mixed in with games against some very high-quality opponents and they should get us into great shape."
Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti, is expected to bring a strong raiding party that is set to include the likes of Kaka, Dida, Inzaghi, Gattuso and Maldini.
Seasoncard holders can see the Thomas Cook Trophy match at a reduced rate of £10 if booking tickets today. Under 16s and over 65s get in for £5. Tweet
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"We broke quickly and that is something we want to introduce into the side".....er wasn't this our forte last season, sit back and hit on break?
Also Times reporting Corluka will sign tomorrow for Spurs for £6.8m. £1.2m less than City paid. Figure that out if true? Better play Onuha tomorrow Mr Hughes then.....
come on the mighty blues na na city watch petrov go this season we are on our way
Looking forward to this game, hope Kaka and the like are playing. Just a quick name to throw in the ring for our midfield. Manuel Fernandes? Was a hit with Everton twice and could be available for a decent fee? Thoughts? CTID
So will Corluka be at right back? And if not who? Neddy?
Looking forward to tomorrow, I think we are progreesing quite nicely and there are several things to be optimistic about. Pluses; return of Boj (he is going to be awesome once fuuly match sharp), Ched & Studge will play a major role this season, TBH looks a good buy. No point worrying about the Doc, but please god let us buy a decent left back it will make a massive differance to us.
Taxi for Nery!!
I know we have an abundance of strikers but I make it now 14 players out (and counting), 2 in! Fully appreciate the emergence of the youth players but Hughes is all about prem experience.
In Hughes I trust but seriously, even two more signings would be nice!!
CTID
Don't worry fellow Blues. It is all arranged. I have arranged for the AC Milan team to be kidnapped after this exhibition match and stashed in a secret chamber deep beneath COMS. They will then be fitted with existing team member replica face masks (and in some cases interesting new hair styles) using the lastest neuro plastic simulation technologies and will be ready just in time for the new season. Bowing at home hames will not be optional.
According to skysports, Real Betis want Castillo on laon.
there's one thing we know for sure about tomorrow's match...
if Vedran doesn't walk out onto that pitch then that is the last time we have seen him!
Is anyone bothering going? im going to pay for my ticket online now but nearly everyone I know isn't bothering!!
On another not re the press, so far this summer Jonno has been going to either Arse, Lpool, Everton or Spurs ~Hart has been going to Spurs ~ Dunney - Pompey, Spurs, Newcastle ~ Ned - Villa ~ Micah - Rags, Arse ~ Ireland - Mackems ~ Elano - Roma ~ Kasper - wants away ~ Boj - wants to go back to Italy. I also remember the Doc apparently wanting to sell off all our young talent. Now Im not normally paranoid but you do feel someone out there is trying to unsettle the club.
Kaka is out for a month, Pato and Ronaldinho are in Bejing, Maldini and Guttuso and Inzaghi are past it. I expect to see a Milan-side with great, yet no too familiar faces. Should be a nice opener for the new season. Pity Ronaldinho isn't playing, as that would certainly sparked the game a lot more I presume.
Go back 20 years and if then someone told you that the star midfielder and chairman would end up in jail, would you have believed them........only at city, incredible, what a chapter for the historian Gary James
Go back 20 years and if then someone told you that the star midfielder and chairman would end up in jail, would you have believed them........only at city, incredible, what a chapter for the historian Gary James
I was going to go but I have changed my mind now, as I will be going on Thursday instead.
BLUE BOB
Did you once work with Red Rob??
You have an echo Denis
.... echo Denis ... echo Dennis
Are you in a cave lookibg for Giles ?
32 years and were still here and we will always be here we are city super city
If we sell Corluka for a loss then we know things are bad. Its one thing selling a player to fund other purchases but a player like Corluka should now be worth more than the £8m we paid. The 'fire sale' taking place at the moment wouldn't be so bad if we could see players coming in but it looks more like we are just trying to pay the bills before the bailiffs come knocking.
William Hills
Rochdale
Stockport
Qpr
Palace
Cardiff
Odds 27/1
2 NOTES ON THAT!!!
petenico, manchester
I'm going, Corluka or no Corluka...Cit is City and the season is over far too long in my opinion!! They'll get a good result tomorrow and I hope Hughsey gets a good reception...I'll clap him anyway.
I may be wrong but hasn't frank bankrolled the fiscal value of 75million for new players since he came in.
Committed 25m on new players already this close season alone. Oh by the way, didn't hear to many groans
of dissaproval when Anelka's fee was to be paid over the duration of his contract.
I deal in facts not conspiracy - people you know who you are need to wake up. You are showing a distinct lack of intelligence
Hope you win Andy - then you can have something decent to eat and some nice grog - good luck!!
CTID
Is it only me who thinks Boj looks and plays a bit like Viduka ? Quick feet, broad build, good running off the ball, suprisingly quick, or do I need to go to Specsavers?
cannot wait for this season best young squad in the premiership and the best young manager in the league 32 years and were still here citd
cannot wait for this season best young squad in the premiership and the best young manager in the league 32 years and were still here citd