Manchester City are preparing for a crucial encounter against Aston Villa in the Premier League this Saturday, as they look to turn around their recent misfortunes. Following a disappointing defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United last weekend, Pep Guardiola's side finds themselves in a precarious position, having suffered eight losses in their last eleven matches. This alarming run has left them nine points behind league leaders Liverpool, although City have played one match more than their rivals.
As they make the trip to Villa Park, City will be eager to avenge their defeat to Aston Villa last season. However, the match presents significant challenges, particularly with several key players sidelined due to defensive injuries. Guardiola may need to rethink his tactical approach, opting for a more straightforward strategy to adapt to the current circumstances.
Reports from 90min suggest the following line-up for Manchester City as they head into this pivotal fixture:
**Goalkeeper: Ederson** - After a period on the bench, Ederson's return has unfortunately coincided with consecutive losses against Juventus and Manchester United. The Brazilian's performance has been hindered by defensive frailties, making his role increasingly challenging.
**Right-Back: Rico Lewis** - The versatile young full-back missed the Manchester derby due to a red card received in the match against Crystal Palace. His return is expected to see him adopt a more traditional right-back role, which aligns with his strengths this season.
**Centre-Back: John Stones** - Having featured in both recent defeats against Tottenham Hotspur, Stones is likely to return to the starting line-up, especially with injuries affecting fellow defenders Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake ahead of the Villa match.
**Centre-Back: Ruben Dias** - Typically a cornerstone of City's defence, Dias has also struggled amid the team's overall defensive issues. Nevertheless, he remains one of the more dependable figures within a beleaguered backline, and his presence is crucial.
**Left-Back: Josko Gvardiol** - Gvardiol's recent performances have been inconsistent, marked by frequent errors. However, with a lack of experienced left-backs available, he is expected to retain his position in the starting XI, where he can also provide an attacking threat.
**Defensive Midfielder: Ilkay Gundogan** - The decline in Gundogan's form has been noticeable since his return to the Etihad Stadium. Nonetheless, he has taken on the vital role of replacing Rodri in midfield.
**Defensive Midfielder: Mateo Kovacic** - Kovacic's return to action after a lengthy absence is a significant boost for Guardiola. His defensive contributions will be essential for stabilising the midfield against a robust Aston Villa side.
**Right-Winger: Bernardo Silva** - Silva has not been at his best recently and will need to elevate his performance for City, contributing significantly on both ends of the pitch against a high-energy Villa team.
**Attacking Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne** - De Bruyne was instrumental in City's only victory in their last eleven matches against Nottingham Forest. However, his recent performances have been subdued, and the champions will rely heavily on his creativity this Saturday.
**Left-Winger: Jeremy Doku** - Doku's playing style can be both electrifying and erratic, and he is expected to provide an aggressive option on the left flank, making energetic runs to stretch the Villa defence.
**Striker: Erling Haaland** - The Norwegian forward has struggled to make an impact, recording only 21 touches in the recent derby, a statistic that underscores the team's current sluggishness. For City to secure a positive result, Haaland must find the back of the net more frequently, a task made difficult by the team's overall performance in recent weeks.
As Manchester City prepare for this important encounter, the stakes could not be higher. A victory against Aston Villa is critical for restoring confidence and momentum as they aim to reclaim their position among the Premier League elite. The clash promises to be a compelling contest, with both teams eager to assert their credentials in a fiercely competitive league.