Aston Villa welcome Manchester City to Villa Park in Wednesday Night Football from the Premier League.
Victory could see Villa climb to ninth whereas Man City can move 11 points clear of Manchester United in the title race with a win.
Team News
Morgan Sanson is set to return for Villa after being rested in a 2-1 defeat at Liverpool with a knock.
Trezeguet is ruled out after suffering a knee injury at Anfield, consequently joining Jack Grealish (calf) and Wesley (fitness) on the sidelines.
Man City will be without Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian midfielder suffered injuries to his right foot and ankle in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea.
Sergio Aguero (muscle) remains ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have claimed just one point from their last eight league meetings against Man City (D1, L7).
- Man City have lost just one of their last five league trips to Villa Park (W4, D1, L1).
- Eight of Ollie Watkins’ 14 goals for Villa in all competitions this season have come at Villa Park.
- City have conceded just three goals and scored 23 goals in eight away Premier League trips in 2021
- Peter Bankes is refereeing a Villa home game for the first time since their promotion back to the top flight last season.
Prediction
Villa have had over a week off so should be fully fresh and I am expecting them to come and try take the game to Man City, having often looked under the cosh at Liverpool despite taking the lead but a lack of pressing at the back out of possession cost them a result.
Pep Guardiola will meanwhile certainly be keen to see a reaction from his City squad to Saturday’s disappointing yet dominant performance, with eight changes certainly destabilising the team on top of poor finishing in a game which they really ought to of have won.
City though will have Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final in mind so I think we might see further squad rotation, which could well suit Villa if they are disciplined enough on the counter and able to keep it tight defensively otherwise I can see a City win coming.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Aston Villa 1-2 Manchester City
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