Aston Villa face Manchester City in a huge Premier League encounter.placeholder image
Aston Villa face Manchester City in a huge Premier League encounter. | Getty Images/ Canva
Aston Villa are seeking a fourth consecutive Premier League victory this weekend
After back-to-back home victories over Manchester City, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery will hope to beat Pep Guardiola at home for the third season on the spin when the two sides collide at Villa Park this weekend.
Aston Villa enter the weekend in mid-table after a slow start to the campaign, but have shown real signs of improvement in the Premier League in recent weeks after recording victories over the likes of Fulham, Burnley and most recently a fellow European contender in Tottenham Hotspur.
Villa are still a bit off reaching their absolute best but definitely look like they are clicking into gear after a slow start, and it’s fair to say that the exact same statement can be applied to Manchester City, who have climbed back into second position after winning four of their last five league matches. Both sides have been in European action in midweek, but can we expect to see much rotation from Unai Emery? Let’s dive in.
Aston Villa predicted line-up vs Man City: goalkeeper and defence
GK: Emi Martinez: World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emi Martinez remains the first choice in the Premier League despite a summer surrounded by transfer speculation. He’s not looked quite at his best yet this season but has proven throughout his Villa career that he’s a real difference-maker when at the top of his game.
RB: Matty Cash: The undisputed first choice right-back, Matty Cash has started every league match this season and is expected to maintain that record as he closes in on a new long-term contract.
CB:Ezri Konsa: Aston Villa’s best centre-back, Ezri Konsa is an indispensable member of Unai Emery’s back-line and definitely the quickest and most mobile of the central defenders. He’s likely to have one of his toughest tasks of the season trying to keep the imperious Erling Haaland at bay.
CB: Pau Torres: The Spaniard stepped in for his fifth appearance of the campaign against Tottenham and helped the team to a victory. He’s expected to keep his place ahead of teammate Tyrone Mings.
LB: Lucas Digne: Experience Frenchman Lucas Digne is expected to continue to keep big 2024 summer signing Ian Maatsen out of the team. He has more big game experience and also offers an added threat from set pieces.
Aston Villa predicted line-up: midfield and attack
CM: Boubacar Kamara: The best signing of the Steven Gerrard era. Boubacar Kamara is likely to play a massive role in the middle of the park against Pep Guardiola’s side. His task is likely to be slightly easier by the absence of Rodri but it’d be foolish to underestimate Man City’s other incredible talents such as Phil Foden and Tijjani Reijnders.
CM: Amadou Onana: The Belgian’s physicality and agility are key components to have against a team as talented as Man City. He started ahead of Lamare Bogarde against Tottenham and is likely to maintain his place in the XI.
CAM: Morgan Rogers: Starting ahead of last week’s match-winner Emi Buendia is former Man City academy prospect Morgan Rogers. The England international is one of Aston Villa’s biggest attacking threats at his best and has the potential to be a real game-changer.
LM: John McGinn: A real leader in the Aston Villa team. John McGinn’s tenacity and work rate are likely to be crucial in this weekend’s contest against City.
RM:Donyell Malen: Netherlands international Donyell Malen is currently enjoying one of his more productive spells in an Aston Villa shirt. He’s been selected as a striker at times in Ollie Watkins’ absence but comes in this weekend for a role on the wing.
ST: Ollie Watkins: England international Ollie Watkins was limited to a substitute outing against Tottenham after a slight knock on international duty, but it’s hard to see him not starting in a match of this calibre. He’ll hope to really get his season going against the Sky Blues after only scoring once in his opening eight league matches.
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