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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Simon Bajkowski & Joe Bray & Tyrone Marshall

How Man City should line up vs Aston Villa in Premier League

Phil Foden could be back in contention for Manchester City after missing three games with injury and illness.

Foden hasn't featured in the last four City games but has overcome his foot issue and was pictured back in training this week after missing the Tottenham defeat last weekend as he was ill. John Stones remains out with a thigh injury.

Pep Guardiola included new signing Maximo Perrone in his squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium instead, although the Argentine was not handed a debut. Kevin De Bruyne was dropped to the bench, and could be recalled for the visit of Aston Villa on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola sends message to Man City fans as he defends legacy

Read how our writers think City should line up vs Villa and use the interactive selector below to pick your best starting XI:

Simon Bajkowski

Sunday's defeat to Tottenham does feel a bit like City have to return to what they were doing so well. That starts from the back, where I'd put Aymeric Laporte and Ruben Dias back into the starting XI to give the defence a more familiar look.

Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish remain the go-to pair on the wings to get City through games, although you would have to be looking for plenty of minutes off the bench for Phil Foden if he is to be in any kind of contention for Arsenal. Erling Haaland starts, obviously.

It won't be too popular but I'd start Kalvin Phillips. This is a £45m midfielder with proven Premier League experience desperate for a game, and every time Rodri plays at the minute he looks as though he needs a holiday - if you can't start Phillips in games like this, when can you? Bernardo Silva deserves to keep his place after his display on Sunday and I'd also bring Kevin De Bruyne back in.

Pick your best City team to take on Villa here:

Joe Bray

City need to get back to winning ways, and there are a few changes I think Guardiola can make to kick-start their form after a frustrating afternoon at Tottenham last time out. Kevin De Bruyne's recall is an obvious choice, while a more experienced defence might also be worth a go.

Manu Akanji and Nathan Ake have done well in recent weeks, as has Rico Lewis, but something just isn't working at the moment. With Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte ready to return, I'd put them all back in, shifting Ake back out left, and give Akanji a rest.

In midfield, a return to the De Bruyne and Bernardo combination would increase City's energy, as would a recall for the fit-again Phil Foden. Jack Grealish is in form, but Guardiola has resisted playing him against Aston Villa in the previous three meetings, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drop to the bench.

Tyrone Marshall

It will be a welcome relief for City to get back to the football after a tumultuous week at the Etihad. The club have come out fighting and they will need to show the same attitude on the pitch, with Guardiola's team selection at Tottenham a week ago in the spotlight until the Premier League moved the agenda on.

There have to be some changes today and I would restore Ake to left-back, leave Walker on the right and bring in Dias to partner Akanji in the centre of defence.

Rodri was culpable for the goal last week and has been struggling lately. Phillips is still struggling for minutes but this is surely an opportunity to give him a start in the Premier League. De Bruyne also has to come back in and play alongside Bernardo in midfield.

Haaland will obviously lead the attack and if Foden is fit I would bring him in, but it might be too early. Mahrez is a certain starter at the moment and Alvarez could play off the left.

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