Aston Villa vs Manchester City preview: How to watch on TV, live stream, team news & prediction

Manchester City will look to move one step closer to being crowned champions when they travel to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola's side saw their quadruple hopes dashed at the weekend when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea, making it two defeats in three games. They need 11 points from the final six games of the season to mathematically secure the title.

Villa on the other hand have seen their own European charge simmer since their COVID-19 outbreak at the turn of the year but they still have a great chance for a top half finish. However, a poor run of just two wins in their last nine games needs addressing.

Where to watch Aston Villa vs Manchester City

When is the match? Wednesday 21 April
What time is kick off? 20:15 (BST)
Where is it being played? Villa Park
TV Channel? Sky Sports Premier League (UK)
Referee? Peter Bankes
VAR? Jarred Gillett

Aston Villa team news

Dean Smith is still without star man and captain Jack Grealish after a setback in training, with the England man still a few weeks away from returning. Trezeguet picked up a knee injury against Liverpool and is expected to miss the rest of the season, meaning Anwar El Ghazi should be restored to the starting lineup.

Morgan Sanson is also expected to miss a period with a knee problem, while Ross Barkley remains out of favour as a substitute after a string of poor form.

Manchester City team news

City are expected to reinstate a number of stars to the starting lineup after making changes for the Leeds and Chelsea defeats. Kevin De Bruyne will be missing for up to a month with a foot injury picked up at Wembley, so Ilkay Gundogan will take up the mantle of midfield maestro.

Ederson will return in goal, while John Stones should play in the centre of defence in place of Aymeric Laporte. Sergio Aguero is still out injured, so City are likely to start without a recognised striker once again.

Predicted lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn, Nakamba; Traore, Watkins, El Ghazi.

Man City: Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko; Fernandinho, Gundogan, Silva; Foden, Sterling, Mahrez.

Aston Villa recent form

Liverpool 2-1 Aston Villa - Premier League (10/4)
Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham - Premier League (4/4)
Aston Villa 0-2 Tottenham - Premier League (21/3)
Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa - Premier League (12/3)
Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves - Premier League (6/3)

Manchester City recent form

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City - FA Cup (17/4)
Borussia Dortmund 1-2 Manchester City - Champions League (14/4)
Manchester City 1-2 Leeds - Premier League (10/4)
Manchester City 2-1 Borussia Dortmund - Champions League (6/4)
Leicester 0-2 Manchester City - Premier League (3/4)

Prediction

Despite recent poor form, City should still have too much for an Aston Villa side struggling badly without their star man.

No matter the lineup Guardiola puts out, the league leaders have far more quality and they will now have a point to prove to get back on track and secure a third league title in four years. Villa will play their game and were unlucky to be beaten in the reverse fixture, but it's hard to see anything other than three points for the Blues.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Manchester City