Man City v Aston Villa Premier League 2019/20 Match Preview

Man City welcome Villa to the Etihad Stadium looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool. Manchester City vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League commentary live stream, score, TV, prediction, lineups

Dean Smith has Aston Villa looking like they belong in the Premier League but a visit to the Etihad Stadium may prove a chastening experience. Manchester City will be hungry to cut the gap, for a day at least, to three points behind Liverpool. Smith believes his side can get a result. “We’re not taking on a superhuman team, although they look like it at times,” he said. “It’s a team that can make mistakes and when they make mistakes you’ve got to punish them.” Graham Searles

Man City v Aston Villa (12:30 BST) Stones' first start since September, Jesus starts ahead of Aguero Douglas Luiz and Trezeguet in for Aston Villa Pep Guardiola has never lost back-to-back home league games as a manager Villa are bidding for a third successive Premier League win Four other matches across Saturday with Chelsea and Everton in action.

But Guardiola was visibly riled during the 5-1 Champions League victory with Stones not ready to come on. “The guys on the bench know you have to be ready to go out from the first minute,” Guardiola explained.

Dean Smith's side are unbeaten in their previous four fixtures and a last gasp winner against Brighton last time out will give the Villains confidence heading into the encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

As well as Rodri, who is out until the next international break, Guardiola has lost Oleksandr Zinchenko for six weeks with a knee injury, leaving the Blues boss short of options.

Man City 4-3-3

31Ederson
27João Cancelo
5John Stones
25Fernandinho
22Benjamin Mendy
17Kevin De Bruyne
8IIkay Gündogan
21David Silva (c)
20Bernardo Silva
9Gabriel Jesus
7Raheem Sterling

A Villa 4-1-4-1

1Tom Heaton
24Frederic Guilbert
22Björn Engels
40Tyrone Mings
18Matt Targett
11Marvelous Nakamba
17Trezeguet
6Douglas Luiz
7John McGinn
10Jack Grealish (c)
9Wesley