Predicted Starting XI: Manchester City vs Brighton & Hove Albion (Carabao Cup Fourth Round)
Manchester City must brush off the disappointment of last weekend's trip to Villa Park as they host a red-hot Brighton side eager to carry their Premier League form into the Carabao Cup.
City's last challenge proved all too tricky as the Blues took a trip to Birmingham in a bid to extend their winning Premier League start to eight games long, as a Nicolas Jackson brace saw off a sorry defensive display.
It was the Senegalese frontman who fired Villa a goal to the good just six minutes from the first whistle. Marc Guehi bit off more than he could chew in possession, leaving scope for the former Bayern Munich striker to dispatch from close range as the Villans enjoyed an early streak of jubilation.
The hosts would carry their lead down the tunnel at half time, leaving Manchester City ravaging for answers to their Claret questions, with Iliman Ndiaye clipping the outside of the post and leaving Villa keeper Zion Suzuki rooted before the break.
The beginning of the second period looked to give the Blues a new lease of life, as a well-worked free kick routine saw Ndiaye float a teasing cross in for marksman Erling Haaland to latch onto. His bursting header rippling the net and in the process extending his run of Premier League consecutive games with goals run to seven matches.
With City now level, it looked as though the visitors would push towards a winner, looking to break their hoodoo at Villa Park having not won on the soil since 2021.
It only took a further eight minutes for Jackson to net his second of the match, with questionable shotstopping from Gianluigi Donnarumma allowing his first time strike to steal all three points for Aston Villa, who became the first team to take points from Manchester City this season.
City's attention now turns to their second Carabao Cup venture of the campaign, where Premier League dark horses Brighton and Hove Albion make their first of two trips to Manchester this week, with their first test against the Blues coming on Wednesday evening.
The visitors arrive into the fixture riding the crest of a high-rising wave, sitting third in the Premier League table and having recorded some magnificent results, including a 3-0 dispatching of 2026 Champions Arsenal in September.
City are without a win against the Seagulls since 2024, when a Phil Foden brace pushed the Cityzens towards their latest Premier League title in a 4-0 win at the AMEX Stadium.
Norwich City were the last team to visit the Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup, with a five star performance from City's academy products delivering an emphatic win over the Championship side.
As the Blues look back on that Spring evening in 2026, when City took home the League Cup after powering past title rivals Arsenal at Wembley, silverware will be a top priority for Enzo Maresca in his maiden season at Manchester City.
Here's how we think the Blues will line up on Wednesday night!
Predicted XI
In goal, Geronimo Rulli is expected to come in in place of Donnarumma, acting City's cup goalkeeping option since his move from Marseille in the summer. The Argentine was part of his nation's 2022 World Cup win, and could make his second appearance in City blue this week.
With Matheus Nunes' return from injury being treated with care, Rico Lewis could come in to cover at Right-Back, with Enzo Maresca aware of the repeat fixture against Wednesday's opponents on Saturday.
Abdukodir Khusanov may continue his streak of appearances in the side, with the Uzbekistani clawing his way back into contention for starting action.
With the defensive struggles across the last couple of matches, Maresca will look to shuffle the pack and consider his rearguard options. Brazilian Vitor Reis has waited patiently for his scarce opportunity, but the visit of Brighton could provide a welcome challenge for the 20-year-old.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is another member of the squad who is yet to see regular football this season. His excellence carrying the ball forward and creating opportunities in the final third could act as a secret weapon against a very well-disciplined Seagulls side.
Holding down the midfield, Ayyoub Bouaddi has slotted into City's setup as though he has been a squad member for several years. The Morroccan has been very well-received by the City faithful and adds a new dimension to Maresca's midfield revolution.
Mateo Kovacic's rich catalogue of experience across international and continental spheres will complement his midfield counterpart's fresh-faced and confident style of play.
Fresh from bagging four goals in three days after his goal against Ipswich and hattrick when playing AEK Athens, Phil Foden has an extra point to prove to continue that vein of form. His newfound confidence could help to unlock Brighton this week.
On the right wing, Ryan McAidoo will have another chance to shine in first team action after his goal against Norwich in September and marvellous cameo from the bench against Athens last week.
Jeremy Doku's electric pace could work well on the left hand side. The Belgian's trademark cut back and jinky movements will cause problems for the visitors.
Erling Haaland should keep his place and lead the line in midweek against Brighton. The Norwegian is in one of his classic runs of goalscoring brilliance, who better to look to when you need a goal?
Starting XI: Rulli; Lewis, Khusanov, Reis, Ait-Nouri; Bouaddi, Kovacic; McAidoo, Foden, Doku; Haaland
Substitutes: Donnarumma, Nunes, Guehi, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly, Anderson, Fernandez, Cherki, Ndiaye, Allan