Aston Villa’s anticipated starting lineup, injury reports, and club news up to date with their Premier League matchup versus Manchester City.
When Manchester City visits fellow high-flyers Aston Villa on Wednesday evening, they’ll be seeking to snap a three-match streak of score draws in the Premier League. As a result of dropping six points in their last three top flight games, the champions are now third in the table.
Pep Guardiola’s team played Tottenham Hotspur in an exciting 3-3 draw on Sunday afternoon, but they were involved in a contentious officiating incident when referee Simon Hooper called a late foul on Erling Haaland even though Jack Grealish had just scored with the game well into stoppage time.
With a tie on Sunday, Villa, for their part, lost the opportunity to pass City and get within two points of league leaders Arsenal. Ollie Watkins scored in the 90th minute to rescue a 2-2 draw on the south coast for Unai Emery’s team, who had to wait until the very end to secure a point against a revived Bournemouth.
But in midweek, how will both teams lineup at Villa Park? Below, we’ve examined their individual team news and projected starting lineups in more detail.
News About The Aston Villa Team
Fortunately for Vila, Watkins made it through a scare last week and started against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. If all goes according to plan, the England international will also start on Wednesday night. Watkins has eight goals and eight assists in his last 14 Premier League games. Against the champions, he will look to build on his incredible run of play.
Bertrand Traore is out with a muscular ailment, and Emiliano Buendia and Tyrone Mings are both out for the foreseeable future due to chronic ACL problems. More encouragingly, though, midfielder Boubacar Kamara should be back in the starting lineup after serving a one-game suspension for his fifth yellow card of the season against Bournemouth.
Aston Villa Predicted XI
Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Leon Bailey, Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn; Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.
News About Man City Team
Prior to the match on Wednesday, City’s roster is comparatively healthy, with only two players anticipated to be out. Matheus Nunes, a summer acquisition, is expected to be available for the trip to Luton Town the following weekend, but he is unlikely to play due to a muscular issue.
In other news, Kevin de Bruyne is still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, although he may play again next month. Guardiola recently stated the following of the Belgian: “If he [De Bruyne] said January, it’s January.” If only we could have him for the entire season. However, if he says, “May everyone have a happy new year.” John Stones and Mateo Kovacic, two previously injured players, were both selected
Man City Predicted XI
Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Bernado Silva; Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku.
