Manchester City shrugged off the challenge from Atlanta in the Champions League game with ease as they registered a 5-1 win. Next, they will host Aston Villa at the Etihad, and Guardiola’s men will look to stay on Liverpool’s heels who finally dropped points last weekend against Manchester United.
Villa are expected to be in a relegation battle so one would expect the Citizens to see them off easily at home. However, Dean Smith’s men have shown promising signs from time to time, especially going forward. They have goals in their game. Given City’s vulnerable and depleted backline, Villa might spring up a surprise or two.
However, it will be a different matter for them to keep the City attackers at bay as Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne are looking in ominous form.
Team News: Aymeric Laporte is unlikely to play any football this year. He has been a big miss in defence. Leroy Sane is also a long term absentee. Rodri was added to the injury list after the Champions League game, and he will very likely miss out this weekend’s clash. Oleksandr Zinchenko is also a significant doubt after he missed the Atlanta game.
Manchester City Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa
Formation (4-3-3)
Defence
Ederson will continue to start in goal for the reigning champions. Nicolas Otamendi missed the last two games because of an issue which he sustained during the international break, but he should be ready to feature in defence in this tie. John Stones is expected to partner him as he too has been slowly eased off in the first team after his injury spell. Benjamin Mendy is expected to feature at left-back once again. Kyle Walker should occupy the right-back spot.
Midfield
Fernandinho was used as a makeshift defender in the last few games, but he could return to his familiar position in defensive midfield with Rodri being out. David Silva didn’t even come off the bench in the Champions League tie so he should be relatively fresh for this game to start in midfield. Kevin De Bruyne has been fantastic so far, and he should complete the midfield three.
Attack
Raheem Sterling bagged a hattrick in the Champions League tie, and he should start on the left flank. Bernardo Silva could feature on the right-wing ahead of Riyad Mahrez. Sergio Aguero could get the nod to start in place of Gabriel Jesus upfront.
