Manchester City are preparing for a crucial Premier League clash against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, with several changes expected in the lineup as the battle for Champions League qualification heats up.
Manager Pep Guardiola is expected to shuffle his squad, especially in attack, after a physically demanding win over Everton.
City secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory at Goodison Park, a result that marked their first back-to-back league wins since January. The goals came late in the match, with young defender Nico O’Reilly and midfielder Mateo Kovacic stepping up to seal the three points.
Both players delivered impressive performances and are likely to retain their spots in the starting eleven for the upcoming match. Notably, Kovacic is on the verge of making his 200th Premier League appearance—a milestone that could further inspire his performance.
In the attacking third, changes seem inevitable. Phil Foden, who has been a standout performer throughout the season, is pushing for a recall to the starting lineup. Similarly, Jeremy Doku is also knocking on the door after recovering fitness and form. This puts pressure on the likes of Savinho and Bernardo Silva, who could find themselves relegated to the bench if Guardiola opts to freshen things up.
Omar Marmoush, who has shown consistency in recent games, is expected to retain his place in the side. However, the presence of Kevin De Bruyne remains uncertain, with the Belgian playmaker possibly at risk of being rotated, especially with City managing a congested fixture schedule and monitoring player fitness closely.
At the back, Stefan Ortega is likely to continue in goal. Ederson missed the Everton match due to injury and is not expected to recover in time for Tuesday’s encounter. Ortega has been a reliable deputy in recent weeks and should start once again.
Meanwhile, Manuel Akanji returned from his injury layoff with a late substitute appearance over the weekend. However, given the short turnaround between fixtures, Guardiola may be cautious and not rush him back into the starting eleven.
Another player facing uncertainty is Abdukodir Khusanov. The defender began his City career on a high note with some strong early performances but appears to have slipped down the pecking order in recent weeks. His exclusion from the starting lineup could continue unless there’s a tactical need to bring him back in.
With so many key decisions to make and fitness issues to manage, Guardiola faces a real test in maintaining momentum while keeping his squad fresh.
The Aston Villa game could be pivotal not just in terms of league position, but also in boosting morale for the final stretch of the season.
