As Manchester City prepare to face Aston Villa on Wednesday night, we have attempted to call their predicted lineup.
After being held to a 3-3 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, Pep Guardiola could make as many as four changes to his side for the contest at Villa Park.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa
Despite being at fault for Son Heung-min’s opening goal on Sunday, it is impossible to look past Ederson Moraes starting in net, as per our Manchester City predicted lineup against Aston Villa.
Kyle Walker, who has had a mixed bag of a campaign still seems like one of the first names on City’s team team sheet, especially away from home against one of the Premier League’s most in-form sides.
With Pep Guardiola confirming on Tuesday that Manchester City defender John Stones is “ready” to start against Aston Villa, the £47.5 million (Sky Sports) man could replace Manuel Akanji in our predicted lineup.
Ruben Dias, whose performances this season have been described as “average” by Tony Cascarino also seems dead set to keep his place against Unai Emery’s side.
While Nathan Ake was caught out at the back for Dejan Kulusevski’s last-gasp equaliser against Tottenham, his experience could be favoured against the Villains over that of Josko Gvardiol.
As Rodri is suspended for the upcoming clash, Mateo Kovacic could start as a makeshift No.6 in our Manchester City predicted lineup against Aston Villa.
While Pep Guardiola did state that “there’s a chance” that Kalvin Phillips could start, he may opt for the Croatian international at the base of midfield, as was the case against Wolves this campaign.
Considering Rico Lewis did come on and put in a sprightly display against Spurs, he could be rewarded with a start as one of his side’s advanced midfielders against Villa.
In the process, Jeremy Doku, who went off against Tottenham with an injury could be benched, with HLN claiming that the treble-winners are “hoping” that he is not sidelined for weeks due to the busy fixture pile-up in December.
As for Julian Alvarez, he seems to have become a Pep Guardiola favourite this season and is likely to retain his place as his side’s No.10.
On the right flank, Bernardo Silva seems likely to start once again.
With Jeremy Doku seeming like he could be unavailable and Jack Grealish also suspended for the encounter like Rodri, Phil Foden seems like the only viable option at left wing.
Up top, Erling Haaland will be hoping to make amends after a wasteful performance in front of goal against Tottenham.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Kovacic, Lewis, Alvarez, Bernardo Silva, Foden, Haaland
