Aston Villavs.Man City

As expected, Pep Guardiola has made widespread changes to the team that started the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in last weekend's derby.

There are as many as six different personnel, with just one of the defence - Josko Gvardiol - retaining his position in the backline.

Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega has replaced Ederson between the sticks, while Rico Lewis, John Stones and Manuel Akanji all return to the defensive four.

Having come through 22 minutes after injury as a substitute versus United, Mateo Kovacic returns to the engine room, while there is also a surprise start for Villa old Jack Grealish.

Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Matheus Nunes, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku are the outfield players to drop out of the team.

Duran gets the nod over Watkins

Meanwhile, Unai Emery has made just the one alteration to the Villa XI from the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest last time out.

However, players have been moved into different roles, with Matty Cash reverting to right-back and Ezri Konsa moving into the centre alongside Pau Torres to replace Diego Carlos.

Amadou Onana is introduced into the midfield for his first Villa start since November 9, but Jhon Duran retains his place ahead of Ollie Watkins.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana, Tielemans, McGinn; Rogers; Duran

Subs: Olsen, Mings, Nedeljkovic, Bogarde, Maatsen, Barkley, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins

Manchester City XI: Ortega; Lewis, Stones, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo; Foden, Grealish, Haaland

Subs: Carson, Walker, Ake, Doku, De Bruyne, Savinho, Simpson-Pusey, O'Reilly, McAtee

Written by

Darren Plant