Manchester City head to Aston Villa this lunchtime looking to win their eighth Premier League match in a row
Phil Foden and a snippet of Manchester City's predicted XI vs Aston Villa
Manchester City are aiming for eight wins in a row in the Premier League(Image: Getty Images/Pick the Team)
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Manchester City are riding high in the Premier League and have the chance to move six points clear of Arsenal, for a couple of hours at least, when they visit Aston Villa this lunchtime. The Blues made a handful of changes on Tuesday night but still managed to walk out comfortable 5-1 winners over AEK Athens in the Champions League.
Further alterations are expected for the clash with Villa but Rico Lewis could keep his place. Enzo Maresca confirmed that while Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic are getting better, he would be making a late call on their availability. If Nunes is a doubt, he is unlikely to be risked and Lewis did well on Tuesday night, albeit he was guilty of switching off for AEK's goal.
Abdukodir Khusanov partnered Ruben Dias in midweek but Marc Guehi is likely to be recalled. The centre-back got a well-earned break against AEK after a difficult performance against Ipswich Town. Considering Maresca has started him in all Premier League matches this season, it seems a safe bet he starts, with Josko Gvardiol completing the backline.
Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez were recalled on Tuesday after being rested against Ipswich. They should keep their spots for the trip to Villa, albeit Ayyoub Bouaddi will be knocking on the door for a start.
Phil Foden seems a guaranteed starter. The 26-year-old is playing with confidence, as the hat-trick in midweek proved. He ended that game as the false nine but is likely to start on the right flank for this one.
Rayan Cherki earned praise from his boss on Thursday, even if he is more impressed by his players doing the basics well. City's magician should start in the No.10 role with Jeremy Doku potentially returning on the left flank. That position is one that is up for grabs this weekend with Allan and Iliman Ndiaye also pushing for a start but, when he is at his best, there are few better than Doku on the left.
Up front will be Erling Haaland. The striker was rested for the Champions League with Maresca confirming on Tuesday and then reiterating on Thursday that the striker is 100 per cent available. If that's the case, he has to start.
City's predicted XI vs Aston Villa: Donnarumma; Lewis, Dias, Guehi, Gvardiol; Anderson, Fernandez; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland