- Manchester City host Aston Villa in the Premier League, with kick-off at 8pm | Live on Sky Sports
- Man City XI: Ortega, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Bernardo, Marmoush
- Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Kamara, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford
- City started the week in fifth after their win over Everton at the weekend
- Villa’s 4-1 win over Newcastle put them in seventh, just three points behind Nottingham Forest in third
These two sides have met a total of 165 times in the past, with City winning 75, Villa winning 51 and 40 ending as draws.
Earlier this season, Villa ran out 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture at Villa Park.
Chris Wilson22 April 2025 19:30
City are on a run of nine successive home league victories in the month of April, scoring 35 goals and conceding eight.
Villa have won five consecutive Premier League fixtures for the first time since April 2023. They have never won six in a row in the competition.
Chris Wilson22 April 2025 19:25
After winning the last four Premier League titles during an unprecedented spell of domestic dominance, the goal this term is to earn a place back at European football’s top table.
City sit fifth having recovered from an awful end to 2024, but they have work to do in the fight for a Champions League spot that may have a bearing on who they can attract this summer.
Chris Wilson22 April 2025 19:20
“The best team in the country over the previous four years against the best in the last few weeks? Possibly.
“Aston Villa have 10 wins in 11 and have been superb for much of that time. But even in the context of victories over Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle, beating City would be a statement win for Villa.
“Unai Emery tends to rotate and has benched Ollie Watkins, after his superb display on Saturday, and the captain John McGinn.
“Guardiola has surprised by recalling James McAtee for what must be the biggest game of his career.”
Richard Jolly at Etihad Stadium22 April 2025 19:16
Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in five Premier League fixtures, winning three and drawing two.
Unai Emery’s side have won 10 of their past 11 matches in all competitions, with the exception being a defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Chris Wilson22 April 2025 19:12
Chris Wilson22 April 2025 19:05
Five changes for Villa, with Pau Torres returning to partner Ezri Konsa in defence, while Lucas Digne replaces Ian Maatsen. Amadou Onana also starts while Tyrone Mings misses out altogether.
Jacob Ramsey and Marcus Rashford are preferred in attack, with Marco Asensio among the substitutes along with John McGinn.
The big surprise is that Ollie Watkins is still on the bench, despite scoring and registering an assist in the 4-1 win over Newcastle, and loudly voicing his frustration at his lack of starts recently.
Likely, Emery has one eye on their upcoming FA Cup semi-final.
Flo Clifford22 April 2025 19:01
Pep Guardiola has made two changes from City’s win over Everton, with Kovacic and McAtee coming in for Nico Lewis and Savinho.
Ortega remains between the sticks with Ederson out injured. O’Reilly’s fine performance at Goodison Park is rewarded with a starting berth.
Flo Clifford22 April 2025 18:52
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Onana, Kamara, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rogers, Rashford.
Substitutes: Olsen, Maatsen, Garcia, Disasi, McGinn, Barkley, Malen, Asensio, Watkins.
Flo Clifford22 April 2025 18:50
Man City XI: Ortega, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Kovacic, Gundogan, De Bruyne, McAtee, Bernardo, Marmoush
Substitutes: Carson, Grealish, Doku, Nico, Akanji, Savinho, Khusanov, Foden, Lewis
Flo Clifford22 April 2025 18:47
