Man City vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
Manchester City have fallen short in the Premier League title race and it will be an emotional weekend as UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa head to the Etihad.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Peacock
Man City preview: The end of an era
Aside from the departures of John Stones and Bernardo Silva, it has also been confirmed that this will be the last game in charge of Pep Guardiola after a ten-year stint in charge, with Enzo Maresca due to replace the trophy-laden Spaniard.
Even in his final season, an underwhelming one by his extremely high standards, City have still managed to win two trophies, winning the EFL Cup in March and then the FA Cup against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium last weekend.
Aston Villa preview: A remarkable season
For the fifth time in his managerial career, Unai Emery won the UEFA Europa League the other day. The Villans hammered Freiburg by three goals to nil in Istanbul with stunners from Youri Tielemans and Emi Buendia, as well as a Morgan Rogers tap in.
That came a few days after they had produced a fantastic performance to secure a top five spot and UEFA Champions League qualification in the Premier League as they defeated Liverpool by four goals to two at Villa Park.
Man City team news: Fully fit
Quite astonishingly, it does appear as though Pep Guardiola’s final game in charge of Man City will see his side have a fully fit and available squad here.
They could make some emotional selections with England international centre-back John Stones starting ahead of Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trafford; Nunes, Stones, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, Silva; Foden, Cherki, Doku; Haaland
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Aston Villa team news: Probable rotation
Emiliano Martinez is a major doubt for this one after sustaining a broken finger against Freiburg in midweek and the Villans will be expected to heavily rotate here.
With a lot of players going to FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer, Unai Emery may well rest and give players minutes with nothing to play for with a top five finish and a trophy secured.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Garcia, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Luiz; Bailey, Barkley, Sancho; Abraham
Unavailable: Kamara (Injured), Alysson (Fitness)
Questionable: Martinez (Injured)
Man City vs Aston Villa prediction
With little to play for, City will still likely send out a very strong side as they seek to end the famous Pep Guardiola era with a bang. They take on an Aston Villa side that, including their manager, if social media is anything to go by, will still be a little under the weather from their midweek celebrations when they turn up in Manchester and so a comfortable home win is to be expected for this one.
Man City vs Aston Villa tip: Man City to win -1 handicap
