Predictions and match build up for Villa away. Sunday 2pm PL

[Stephen Paul]

Going into this fixture 8 unbeaten , on good form but could be playing better

Arsenal clear favourites for the PL , with the media going into a wankfest about Arteta being the best manager in the world without winning the PL title !

Hopfully we can keep the preesure on with this tricky visit to Villa park       

[Stephen Paul]

3-0 City

[Stephen Paul]

Team News

Rodri: Out 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury.

Gonzalez: Likely to miss out with a foot injury.

Khusanov: Could return to team training based on original timeline. Unlikely to start immediately.

Marmoush: Returned against Villarreal. Likely starts on the bench against Villa.

Ait-Nouri: Unused sub in return vs Villarreal. Likely will make a cameo against Villa as a sub.

Kovacic: Could start in the deepest midfield role.

Savinho: Started last 3 league games.

Stones: Started against Villarreal but likely not given two starts in 4 days.

[Stephen Paul]

Match odds

Villa 3/1
Draw 3/1
City 17/20

[gavin]

Kovacic returning at the right time. I would love to see Khusanov fit again. Nunes has improved and is better going forward but Khusanov is a real defender.

[Stephen Paul]

Match Officials

Referee Michael Oliver
Assistants Stuart Burt and Ian Hussin
Abused on the sidelines Robert Jones 
VAR John Brooks

[gavin]

Pep says the squad is the same as for Villareal. No returnees unfortunately. No solid news on whether Nico G will be fit.

[KunDB]

Tough fixture and I'll gladly take a point.

1. 1. Draw

Tijjani Reijnders goal

C'mon City

[Stephen Paul]

Villa hit or miss at the moment , hopefully tired after their European loss midweek against the mighty Go Ahead Eagles

[gavin]

Scousers lost 3-2 at Brentford  .

City to win 3-1.

[Stephen Paul]

match day has arrived , huge 3 points required with the dippers in free fall and the rags top four