Sergio Aguero contesting violent conduct charge: City's clever gamble?

Aguero was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after allegedly elbowing West Ham's Winston Reid in the second half of Sunday's Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium.

The incident, after which Reid was seen holding his neck, was missed by referee Andre Marriner and his fellow officials during the match.

Retrospective action was initiated by the FA after review by a panel, and Aguero and City have now told the FA that they will deny the charge, according to reports via the BBC and Sky.

Aguero could face a three-match ban if found guilty, ruling him out of the derby against Manchester United on September 10 as well as a home clash with Bournemouth and League Cup tie at Swansea.

But if his decision to contest the charge is deemed frivolous, he could face a further match ban - which would also rule him out of a second match against Swansea, this time a league fixture, three days after the league match.

Successful appeals against FA charges are rare but not unheard of.

Additionally, the fact that the Argentine was clearly turned away from Reid when the incident happened could help him to argue that the contact was purely accidental.

What's more, in this case the risk is well worth it: Aguero missing an extra match against Swansea is not something that City will worry about, while the prospect of having him available for the Manchester derby is simply too big an incentive to ignore.