Aston Villa host defending Premier League champions Manchester City at Villa Park in an early kickoff on Saturday, hoping to bounce back to winning ways.
The Villans have endured an inconsistent campaign and lie seventh in the table after 16 games. Their two-game winning run in the league came to an end last weekend at the hands of bitter Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest, who beat them 2-1 at City Ground.
Despite Man City being in their worst run of form under Pep Guardiola, Unai Emery and Co. have to be at their very best to get a good result.
Aston Villa Team News
Jacob Ramsey is injured and will miss the game, but Aston Villa could welcome back both Leon Bailey and Tyrone Mings on Saturday.
Predicted Aston Villa lineup vs Manchester City (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
One of the best goalkeepers in Europe, Emiliano Martinez will have to come up with big moments to help Villa keep a clean sheet against City.
Defence
Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne are expected to start in front of Martinez.
Cash started in an advanced role down the right at Nottingham Forest but should be back to his original position at right-back in the Aston Villa lineup. This would enable Unai Emery to use Konsa alongside Torres in central defence, with Diego Carlos dropping out.
Digne, meanwhile, should retain his spot at left-back in the Aston Villa lineup.
The Villa back four have to be on their toes and defend extremely well against a City side possessing the firepower to hurt them at any point in the game.
Midfield
Having recently returned from injury, Amadou Onana got some minutes under his belt in the 2-1 defeat to Forest. The Belgian could be handed a start on Saturday, with him partnering Boubacar Kamara in the double pivot in the Aston Villa lineup.
This would allow Youri Tielemans to play in an advanced No.10 role, acting as a glue between midfield and attack.
The possible midfield trio of Onana, Kamara and Tielemans have to be brave on the ball and physical in duels to stop City from controlling the game.
Attack
Villa’s best player this season, Morgan Rogers will be looking to cause problems for his former employers from the left flank. His trickery, movement and incisiveness can carve open the fragile City backline. From the opposite flank, skipper John McGinn will look to make a difference with his energy and tenacity.
Ollie Watkins is likely to be restored to the Aston Villa lineup to lead the attack. With his direct running and physicality, the Englishman can create problems for the City defence.
Jhon Duran, Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley will be options on the bench and will be eager to make any sort of tangible impact if and when called upon.
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