After a disappointing display away at Tottenham last Sunday, the Blues host Aston Villa in a must-win game at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon. The game kicks off at 4:30 pm (GMT) and will be broadcasted live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom.
A financial scandal, in which the allegations all stem from before Guardiola’s time at the club, has rocked the Premier League but City cannot afford any distractions after they failed to take advantage of Arsenal’s slip-up last week.
Pep Guardiola’s side face a tricky Villa side who tend to play better against the bigger teams. Aston Villa arrive into the game as a revitalised side, after current manager Unai Emery breathed new life into the squad following an unsuccessful tenure from Steven Gerrard.
Villa sit 11th, 10 points clear of the drop zone and only five points outside of a European spot, making them a dangerous side to face.
Despite the poor spell in charge for Gerrard, he did manage to nick a point in the reverse fixture back in September, after Erling Haaland’s early second half goal was cancelled out by Leon Bailey’s strike later on in the game, as City left Villa Park with a 1-1 draw feeling slightly aggrieved they didn’t manage to grab all three points.
Team News
Phil Foden is back in training this week after recovering from illness and is available to return for Manchester City against Aston Villa.
Kevin De Bruyne could return to starting line-up as Pep Guardiola looks to get the best out of Erling Haaland.
John Stones remains sidelined as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.
De Bruyne was benched for tactical reasons at Tottenham last weekend but could come back into the team in place of Julian Alvarez, and City could revert to their 4-3-3 formation.
Ruben Dias could return in defence after he was on the bench against Spurs.
His return could see Nathan Ake switch to left-back, which would leave Guardiola a decision on whether to play Rico Lewis or Kyle Walker at right-back.
Ilkay Gundogan may also be brought back in with Bernardo Silva struggling for form of late.
With only John Stones seemingly missing for Pep Guardiola’s team, the boss will almost certainly have a pre-match selection headache. Will he go with the tried and trusted 4-3-3 or utilise the 3-2-4-1 system that’s been employed for the majority of this season?
Manchester City possible starting lineup:
In what is set to be an enthralling contest, here is how Some Man City Fans and Media expect Pep Guardiola’s side to line-up.
Evening Standard XI : Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake; De Bruyne, Rodri, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish.
Manchester World XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish
90mim Football XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Grealish, Haaland, Mahrez
City Report XI: Ederson; Lewis, Laporte, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish, Haaland, Mahrez
City Xtra XI: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland.
Who do you think will be in the XI against Aston Villa?
Best Starting XI base on Majority: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Rodri, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Mahrez, Foden. Haaland
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