Manchester City vs Aston Villa: Starting XIs confirmed for Premier League clash

Manchester City and Aston Villa have announced their starting lineups and substitutes for this afternoon’s Premier League clash at the Etihad Stadium. Both sides suffered defeat in their last outings and today’s hosts then felt the after-effects of an unusual situation – being charged with 101 alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play.

City head coach Pep Guardiola has pleaded the innocence of his side, however, and remains focused on an intense title race with Arsenal. The Villans, meanwhile, are eager to put right their wrongs, perhaps starting with their repeated mistakes passing out from the back.

Despite losing 4-2 at home to Leicester City last weekend, Villa manager Unai Emery has decided to push on with the likes of Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa, but there are some changes in defence. Ashley Young comes in for Matty Cash, whereas Calum Chambers replaces Tyrone Mings, who misses out entirely.

Jacob Ramsey, Douglas Luiz, Boubacar Kamara and Leon Bailey all keep their spots in midfield, whereas Emi Buendia leads the line with Ollie Watkins. Former Villa favourite Jack Grealish is in City’s XI - as is Premier League top goal scorer Erling Haaland.

Man City vs Aston Villa team news - starting lineups confirmed

Man City starting XI vs Aston Villa: Ederson (GK); Walker, Dias, Rodri, Laporte; Gundogan, B. Silva, Gundogan; Mahrez, Grealish, Haaland.

Man City subs vs Aston Villa: Ortega, Moreno, Philipps, Ake, Alvarez, Gomez, Akanji, Foden, Palmer, Lewis.

Aston Villa starting XI vs Man City: Martinez (GK); Young, Konsa, Chambers, Digne; J. Ramsey, D. Luiz, Kamara; Buendia, Bailey, Watkins.

Aston Villa subs vs Man City: Sinisalo (GK), Zych (GK), Cash, McGinn, Alex Moreno, Coutinho, Dendoncker, Swinkels.