credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Tue 22 April 2025 18:48, UK

Unai Emery has made four changes to his Aston Villa side as they face Manchester City in the Premier League action on Tuesday night.

The Villans have travelled to the Etihad on 22 April as they look to maintain their stellar run of form and ascent towards Champions League qualification.

Last time out, goals from Ollie Watkins, Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana were added to by a Dan Burn own goal to secure a massive 4-1 win against Newcastle.

Now they are preparing for yet another huge clash against Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions away from home.

Despite the magnitude of the game, with just days between games, it is little surprise that Emery has utilised changes, but starting without Donyell Malen could prove to be a mistake.

Aston Villa confirmed XI v Manchester City

It is fair to say that Emi Martinez has made some errors this season, but there still aren’t many better for the big occasion. After making two saves last time out [FotMob], he will be hopeful of a positive performance against the Citizens.

Ahead of the Argentina international, Emery has opted to make two changes with Pau Torres coming in for Tyrone Mings and Lucas Digne coming in for Maatsen despite the 23-year-old’s goal and seven duels won against Newcastle.

This has seen Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa maintain their spot in the side, with the latter maintaining a 94 per cent pass accuracy last time out.

In midfield, Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans have once again been named to start after the Belgian won the most tackles and duels on the pitch against the Magpies at Villa Park. This duo have been added to by Onana after his superb strike last time out as Marco Asensio drops out.

Ahead of this trio, Jacob Ramsey has come in for John McGinn, while Morgan Rogers has remained in the starting 11 after picking up an assist and completing 100 per cent of dribbles in his last outing.

It could prove to be a mistake not to hand Malen a start, given his general lack of minutes and the injection of pace and goal-scoring prowess that he could add, especially after maintaining a 100 per cent pass accuracy against Newcastle.

Up top, Watkins has dropped out of the side despite his goal and assist at Villa Park, which also saw him hit the post twice with his five shots. This has seen Marcus Rashford come back into the side is bound to have his say against City.

Aston Villa must give positive account v Man City

The Villans are in a stellar run of form and need that to continue if they are to give themselves a realistic chance of a top-five finish.

The result last time out against Newcastle was exactly what the doctor ordered, and that positivity could be set to be boosted once again at the Etihad.

Emery has already shown that his side can win against the best sides in the world, like PSG in the Champions League quarter-final at Villa Park.

The Spaniard now has to prove himself against Guardiola as his side looks to move as high as third, although goal difference will have a major impact.

The likes of Rashford and Rogers will have to be on song once again, and if they are, a win in M11 could be entirely possible.