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Man City team news: Predicted 4-3-3 line up vs Aston Villa – Raheem Sterling decision
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could rest some key players when his side return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Sunday (4.30pm).
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Pep Guardiola may look to rotate his squad when Manchester City continue their Premier League title defence against Aston Villa this weekend. City head into the clash on the back of a crushing victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup and are now looking to close the gap on table-toppers Liverpool.
A wonderful strike from Bernardo Silva, a clinical finish from Riyad Mahrez and a comical own-goal from Andreas Pereira was enough to secure a 3-1 victory over United on Tuesday.
The win leaves Pep Guardiola’s side in a dominant position ahead of the semi-final second leg, although Marcus Rashford’s late effort has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side a lifeline.
Attention now returns to the Premier League with City aiming to bridge the 14-point gap to Liverpool, although many believe the title race is already over.
But Guardiola’s side are set to embark on a favourable run of fixtures over the next two weeks with matches against Crystal Palace and Sheffield United giving them an opportunity to maintain the pressure on the Reds.
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City also have an FA Cup fourth round tie against Fulham to consider before the Carabao Cup reverse fixture against United and a mouthwatering Champions League clash against Real Madrid next month.
Guardiola will therefore be keen to keep his prized assets fresh so his infamous rotation policy could come to the fore once again this week.
Raheem Sterling played the full 90 minutes at Old Trafford and is one of the most high-profile stars who could be rested.
Bernardo also completed the whole match, so the pair are vulnerable if Guardiola recalls Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
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Both Aguero and Silva were unused substitutes against United while Gabriel Jesus made a late cameo in place of Riyad Mahrez.
The Brazilian started the previous Premier League game against Everton, scoring twice at the Etihad, but played just two minutes of the previous two fixtures.
Meanwhile Aguero was on target against Sheffield United, having recently returned from injury, so it appears Guardiola has a straight decision to make between his two frontmen.
Mahrez will hope to retain his starting berth after impressive recent displays while Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri are almost certain picks.
Silva could replace Ilkay Gundogan as the final part of a three-man midfield while Oleksandr Zinchenko may get the nod over Benjamin Mendy at left-back.
Nicolas Otamendi has established himself as the current preferred option alongside Fernandinho in central defence while Kyle Walker is likely to continue ahead of Joao Cancelo at right-back.
Finally, Ederson should return in goal at the expense of Claudio Bravo despite surprisingly being overlooked against Everton after returning from suspension.
Aymeric Laporte is back in training but remains unavailable while Leroy Sane is City’s only other injury concern having missed the whole season with ligament damage.
Aston Villa are sitting just a point outside the relegation zone but secured a vital 2-1 win over Burnley in their previous league match.
Dean Smith’s side also managed a credible 1-1 draw with Leicester in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday.
However, the squad has been blighted by injuries with goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Jed Steer joined on the treatment table by John McGinn and Matt Targett.
Wesley and Keinan Davis are also sidelined while Jonathan Kodjia missed the clash with Leicester due to illness so the Villans could be without any natural striking options.
Manchester City predicted line-up vs Aston Villa – Premier League
(4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Fernandinho, Otamendi, Zinchenko; Rodri, De Bruyne, D. Silva; Mahrez, B. Silva, Aguero