Contentious benching in defence as Emery risks feud with £31m star - Aston Villa predicted XI vs Man City

Aston Villa are in Premier League action once again this Tuesday night as they travel away to Manchester City for a huge six-pointer in the race for Champions League qualification.

The Villans’ thumping 4-1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday was enough to move within goal difference of the top five, while the gap to Man City in fourth is now only one point. Villa have won 10 of their last 11 games in all competitions and will be confident they can make that 11 out of 12 at the Etihad Stadium.

Man City are unbeaten in their last five Premier League outings but have still shown signs of weakness, drawing 2-2 against Brighton & Hove Albion last month and failing to score in a drab 0-0 draw away at local rivals Manchester United. It wasn’t until the 84th minute that they broke the deadlock in the 2-0 win at Everton on the weekend, either.

Villa can take confidence from the fact they’ve beaten the Cityzens in two of the last three meetings between the two sides. The most recent visit to the Etihad, last April, ended in a painful 4-1 defeat but Emery’s men have come on leaps and bounds since then. The Villans are looking to complete a first league double over City since 1962/63.

It will be tempting for Emery to name the same starting XI that thrashed Newcastle but rotation may be required to conserve energy and sharpness. One eye will be on Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley, too, as Emery seeks to reach his first major final as Villa boss.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Man City

With all of that in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon Emery will name at the Etihad.

GK - Emi Martinez: The two-time Yashin Trophy winner will be frustrated to have conceded such a poor goal against Newcastle - right through his legs - but he has a great opportunity here to respond on the big stage.

RB - Axel Disasi: It may be controversial to bench Matty Cash after a good display against the Magpies but he played the full 90 and Emery might want to protect him before Wembley. Disasi has played well whenever called upon at right-back.

CB - Ezri Konsa: A scorer in Villa’s dramatic 3-2 comeback win over PSG last week, Konsa is one of the first names on the team sheet. The England international always delivers, whether he be at centre-back or right-back.

CB - Tyrone Mings: In immense form, Mings has seemingly pushed Pau Torres out of the team. Villa look more confident defensively with Mings in the side whereas £31 million man Pau has struggled in one-on-ones recently.

LB - Ian Maatsen: Having started the last three league games and scored in his last outing, Maatsen may have finally moved ahead of Lucas Digne in the pecking order. Regardless of whether he has, his pace could be handy on the transition against City.

CM - Boubacar Kamara: Pivotal to Villa for his strength and command at the base of midfield, Kamara can expect to stay in the lineup. He’s moving closer and closer to the world-class potential he was signed for.

CM - Amadou Onana: The scorer of a belting 20-yard goal on the weekend, Onana could earn a rare league start to give Villa a better chance of winning what’s expected to be a very tough midfield battle.

RM - Morgan Rogers: Undroppable on current form, not many players in world football can charge forward on the ball as well as Rogers does. He also has a point to prove against his former club.

LM - Marcus Rashford: Emery hinted recently at playing Rashford and Watkins in the same team and so this could be the way, with the Man Utd loanee out on the left flank. His directness and willingness to take on defenders could be helpful.

CAM - Youri Tielemans: Despite impressing in the double pivot, Tielemans has also been superb in the number 10 role. His quality of final pass could be crucial in a game like this, when Villa aren’t expected to dominate possession. John McGinn, meanwhile, will be knackered after the Newcastle and PSG games and could do with a rest.

ST - Ollie Watkins: Back to his best against Newcastle with a goal and an assist, Watkins deserves to lead the line at the Etihad. It would be very bold for Emery to bench him after such a performance. It’s tricky for Donyell Malen to remain on the bench but there’s just no room in the XI right now.