Manchester City are back in action on Tuesday night against Aston Villa.
The Premier League contest at the Etihad Stadium kicks off a huge week for Pep Guardiola’s squad as a win over Unai Emery’s side would go a long way to securing Champions League football for next season, and it will also give City a boost ahead of their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 3 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 33 | 18 | 6 | 9 | 53 | 39 | 14 | 60 |
| 4 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 33 | 18 | 5 | 10 | 62 | 44 | 18 | 59 |
| 5 |  Man CityManchester City | 33 | 17 | 7 | 9 | 64 | 42 | 22 | 58 |
| 6 |  ChelseaChelsea | 33 | 16 | 9 | 8 | 58 | 40 | 18 | 57 |
Man City fans have good memories against Aston Villa and they came flooding back when Bernardo Silva opened the scoring for the Manchester club after seven minutes of the contest.
The Portuguese star may have put the ball into the Villa net, however, Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was keen to heap praise on another Man City star.
Gary Neville is a big fan of Omar Marmoush
Omar Marmoush was having an incredible season with Eintracht Frankfurt before Man City signed him in January and fans of the Premier League didn’t need long to see what all the fuss was about.
Guardiola has praised Marmoush for the impact he has had at Man City in such a short space of time and the Egyptian star continued that against Aston Villa as the winger ran past Matty Cash before assisting Silva’s goal, which led to top praise from Neville.
“There is a lot to like about Marmoush in the blue shirt of Manchester City,” Neville said on Sky Sports after Silva’s goal. “He is really good. He is quick and direct with the ball at his feet.
“He’s good on the ball as well and makes great runs. He just goes past Matty Cash here in such a short space. He is gone past him before he knows it.”
The 26-year-old was not the only City star who had an impact on the Manchester club’s opening goal as Neville picked put another for praise.
Ilkay Gundogan was key to opening Man City goal vs Aston Villa
Ilkay Gundogan returned to Man City last summer and like many in Guardiola’s current squad, the German has struggled at the Etihad this season.
Gundogan has received criticism from Man City fans, but they would have been happy with the role the veteran star played in their opening goal against Villa, which Neville was happy to point out.
“In the build-up to this goal, watch the run by Gundogan,” the Sky Sports commentator stated. “He brings Matty Cash in (to the box), which gives Marmoush that little bit of space.”
Runs in the box were a key trait of Gundogan’s during his prime at Man City and it is great to see the Germany international is still making use of the skill.
