Aston Villa are currently just one point above the relegation zone, and they will host Manchester City at Villa Park next. The Birmingham based outfit will take some confidence after an inspired showing against a much-fancied Leicester City side in the first leg of the semi-final of the Carabao Cup where they held the Foxes to a 1-1 draw. However, it cannot be ignored that City would be a different challenge altogether.
Villa have lost nine of their last 11 Premier League meetings with Manchester City, and the reigning Premier League champions would go in as the overwhelming favourite for this clash. The Citizens are coming into this game after they made light work of their derby rivals Man United in the EFL Cup where they won 3-1. City had won 3-0 when they met Villa last year in October.
Team News: English goalkeeper Tom Heaton is out for the rest of the season. Striker Wesley Moraes also suffered a similar fate recently. John McGinn, Keinan Davis, Matt Targett and Jed Steer are also going to be unavailable because of their injury issues.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup Vs Manchester City
Formation (3-4-3)
Defence
Orjan Nyland is likely to continue between the sticks with Heaton being out. Smith has adopted the system of back three off late, and he will likely persist with that. Tyrone Mings will start in the heart of the defence. Ezri Konsa will be expected to play on the right side of the back three. Former Wolves defender Hause will be on the left side of the back three.
Midfield
Neil Taylor will start in the left wing-back role. Without the ball, Villa will effectively be playing with a back five and Taylor would be expected to fall back deep in defence. Zimbabwean international Marvelous Nakamba will start in midfield, and he will have to do a lot of the nitty-gritty job.
Conor Hourihane could return to the lineup after he only played as a substitute against Leicester City. He will occupy the other central midfield spot. Frederic Guilbert will play in the right wing-back role. He will have the tough task of keeping Raheem Sterling quiet. Guilbert will also need to support his team in attack whenever Villa get on the ball.
Attack
Jack Grealish has been in great form this season, and a lot will rest on his shoulders in the final third. He will start on the left flank. Trezeguet will be expected to start on the right-wing. Dean Smith might opt for Anwar El Ghazi upfront instead of Jonathan Kodjia.
