By James Cormack
Another big home game beckons for Manchester City in the Premier League title race as they welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.
City, who are hunting an unprecedented fourth-straight league title, are playing catch-up towards the summit after they were held to a stalemate by Arsenal at the weekend. Pep Guardiola's side were able to control much of the bout, but they failed to breach a stellar Gunners backline.
As a result, City are three points adrift of league leaders Liverpool with nine games to play. One of the trickiest fixtures left on their schedule arrives in midweek as Champions League hopefuls Villa come to town.
Unai Emery's side were dominant in the reverse fixture, winning 1-0 while completely shutting out the visiting Cityzens. It should be a different story on Wednesday given City's proficiency at the Etihad, although their scoring streak on home soil was snapped by Arsenal last time out.
What time does Man City vs Aston Villa kick-off?
- Location: Manchester, England
- Stadium: Etihad Stadium
- Date: Wednesday 3 April
- Kick-off Time: 20:15 BST / 15:15 ET / 12:15 PT
- Referee: Darren England
- VAR: John Brooks
Man City vs Aston Villa H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Man City: 3 wins
- Aston Villa: 1 win
- Draws: 1
- Last meeting: Aston Villa 1-0 Man City (6 December 2023) - Premier League
Current Form (all competitions)
How to watch Man City vs Aston Villa on TV and live stream
Man City team news
Guardiola has confirmed that he'll be without Ederson, Kyle Walker, and Nathan Ake on Wednesday. The latter picked up his injury setback during Sunday's draw.
John Stones has a chance of returning, with minutes off the bench more likely.
Jack Grealish could come into Guardiola's XI having made an appearance off the bench against Arsenal.
Man City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa
Man City predicted lineup vs Villa (3-4-2-1): Ortega; Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish; Haaland.
Aston Villa team news
Ollie Watkins has avoided a major hamstring injury, but he's not available for Wednesday's game. Thus, there could be a rare Premier League start for Jhon Duran.
Villa's lengthy list of absentees includes Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey and Matty Cash.
John McGinn is also serving the last of his three-game suspension.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Man City
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Man City (4-2-2-2): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Moreno; Tielemans, Luiz; Rogers, Bailey; Diaby, Duran.
Man City vs Aston Villa score prediction
The manner of Villa's victory in the reverse fixture was hugely impressive, and they have little reason to fear City on Wednesday night. They're vulnerable.
Guardiola's men simply haven't clicked into gear just yet and they could succumb to a side of Villa's savvy and quality. The Villans, however, are without their leading goalscorer, which is a huge blow.
We should expect Emery to be more cautious and put men behind the ball akin to Arteta, but it's hard to envisage City enduring back-to-back home shutouts. Guardiola will surely tinker a thing or two to help his side get over the line in midweek.
Prediction: Man City 2-1 Aston Villa
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Man City vs Aston Villa: Preview, predictions and lineups.
