Date: Wednesday 3rd April, 2024
Time: 9:15 pm
Stadium Etihad Stadium
Referee Darren England (England)
Goal Scorer:
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Aston Villa on Wednesday, the Manchester City manager will be bereft of the services of three first-team players.
Nathan Ake is the latest absentee for the home side, with the Dutch defender picking up a knock against Arsenal this past weekend. Ake has joined Ederson Moraes and Kyle Walker on the sidelines, with the experienced duo recovering from their respective hamstring injuries.
Stefan Ortega will continue to deputise for the injured Ederson between the sticks, with Manchester City lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Aston Villa. Rico Lewis should return to the team, starting as the right-back and joining Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Josko Gvardiol in the backline.
As for the midfield unit, Mateo Kovacic should pair up with Rodri in the double pivot to add a layer of protection and allow Kevin De Bruyne the freedom to express himself. Finally, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish should be the two wide attackers, with Erling Haaland leading the line for Manchester City.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ortega; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, Kovacic; Doku, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland
Aston Villa
Like his counterpart in the Manchester City dugout, Unai Emery has a new issue to deal with ahead of the trip to the Etihad Stadium. The Aston Villa manager might be without as many as seven first-team players on Wednesday.
Ollie Watkins is the latest absentee after he picked up a hamstring injury this past weekend against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The English international has joined Matty Cash (thigh) in the treatment room, with Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, and Boubacar Kamara being long-term issues due to their respective knee complaints.
John McGinn continues to serve a suspension after seeing red against Tottenham and will return to the fold this coming weekend against Brentford. Meanwhile, Emery is sweating over the fitness of Jacob Ramsey, who might not be fit enough to start but should be in the matchday squad.
Aston Villa will line up in a 4-4-2 formation against Manchester City, with Emiliano Martinez being an automatic pick in the goal. The backline should feature Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne.
As for the midfield unit, Douglas Luiz and Youri Tielemans should hold the fort in the middle of the park, with Morgan Rogers and Leon Bailey taking charge of the flanks. Moussa Diaby will continue his run in the final third, with Jhon Duran deputising for Ollie Watkins in the offensive department.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Bailey, Luiz, Tielemans, Rogers; Diaby, Duran
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa
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