Man City stumbled against West Ham United last weekend so they will have to pick up all three points in their final match of the season against Aston Villa to be able to lift the league trophy.
Villa managed to trouble Liverpool a couple of weeks ago and Klopp will be hoping that Steven Gerrard will do his side a favour on Sunday but truth be told, Man City are the overwhelming favourites to win at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City haven’t lost to Aston Villa in their last 12 meetings and they have scored at least two goals in their last eight outings this season. Guardiola is dealing with several injuries but that shouldn’t be too big an issue for the manager. His forward line is far superior to Villa’s and they should ensure a comfortable victory on Sunday.
Man City team updates vs Aston Villa:
Man City have an array of injuries going into their final game of the season with Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and John Stones all out injured.
The centre-back position is a bit of a mess for the manager because Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte are the only two fit centre-backs available. Surprisingly though, Pep has opted to use Fernandinho in place of Ake.
Using Fernandinho did not prove to be a great idea against a team like West Ham United so the Man City boss will want to rectify it by putting Nathan Ake back in the side.
Gundogan has played sparingly this season and we expect him to be on the bench once again as Guardiola opts for the trio of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rúben Dias, John Stones and Kyle Walker are out for the rest of the season.
City have three games left in their quest to retain the Premier League title. pic.twitter.com/0r8fCEgq74
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 8, 2022
Riyad Mahrez missed an 86th-minute penalty against West Ham United so it won’t be a surprise if he is pushed back to the bench, in which case, Raheem Sterling will come into the first XI.
We also expect Gabriel Jesus to make way for Phil Foden while Jack Grealish will hold onto his place on the left flank. Foden’s return will mean that Man City will play with a false 9 – their most preferred system this season.
There are several permutations and combinations through which Manchester City can win the Premier League crown but the safest way is undoubtedly by picking up all three points and given how experienced Pep Guardiola and his players are in such situations, we expect them to wrap this one up with ease.
Man City’s injury list vs Aston Villa:
John Stones – Hamstring injury – Ruled out.
Kyle Walker – Ankle injury – Ruled out.
John Stones – Hamstring injury – Ruled out.
Kick-off details:
Timing: 22nd March 2022 at 16:00 BST
Venue: Etihad Stadium
Man City vs Aston Villa Odds:
Man City to win: 1.16
Draw: 7
Aston Villa to win: 15
Prediction:
Man City 3-0 Villa
Read: Will this transfer move from Man City be a killer blow for Liverpool next season?
Odds via Fotmob.
