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Man City team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Aston Villa – Rodri update, Stones returns
Manchester City will be without injured midfielder Rodri when they return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Saturday (12.30pm).
Man City: Guardiola reveals Rodri could be injured for a month
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad once again this week as the Premier League champions continue to struggle with injuries.
Rodri is the latest star to suffer a fitness issue after the Spaniard limped out of the Champions League win over Atalanta on Tuesday with a hamstring problem.
The midfielder is set to be sidelined for at least 10 days, joining Oleksandr Zinchenko, Aymeric Laporte and Leory Sane on the treatment table.
Speaking about Rodri after the 5-1 victory over Atalanta, Guardiola said: “[On Wednesday] we will know.
“Hopefully he will be between 10 days - if it's not broken. If it is broken it will be three weeks or one month."
Guardiola deployed Rodri alongside Fernandinho in central defence against Atalanta, overlooking natural centre-backs John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi.
Both Stones and Otamendi came on as substitutes in the comfortable win, but only one is likely to start against Villa if Guardiola persists with Fernandinho.
Otamendi’s recent poor form suggests Stones is favourite to get the nod while Zinchenko’s knee injury means Benjamin Mendy will continue at left-back.
Kyle Walker is expected to start on the opposite side of defence but Joao Cancelo is another option in either full-back role.
Ilkay Gundogan should anchor the midfield alongside Kevin de Bruyne while David Silva is expected to return to the starting XI, having not featured in midweek.
Phil Foden was sent off for two yellow cards against Atalanta and will be the player to drop out while Riyad Mahrez could also make way if Bernardo Silva is recalled.
Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick and provided two assists on Tuesday and should start while Sergio Aguero also bagged a double but faces competition from Gabriel Jesus.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Aston Villa – Premier League
(4-3-3): Emerson; Walker, Stones, Fernandinho, Mendy; Gundogan, De Bruyne, D, Silva; B. Silva, Sterling, Aguero