How Manchester City could line up against Aston Villa

Manchester City will be looking for their fifth straight win in all competitions when they travel to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

City have won their last four games in three separate competitions, including their last two in the Premier League against Sheffield United and Everton.

Pep Guardiola's side will enter this match off the back of an impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final.

City are still 14 points off leaders Liverpool in the Premier League table, though, and the European Cup holders also have a game in hand following their involvement in the Club World Cup.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the Citizens could line up on Sunday afternoon.

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Out: Leroy Sane (knee), Aymeric Laporte (knee)

> Click here for Manchester City's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

City will again be without the services of Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte due to long-term knee injuries, although both players are making strong progress in their individual recoveries.

Guardiola otherwise has a fully-fit squad to choose from, though, and Ederson is expected to return between the sticks having been on the bench against Manchester United on Tuesday night.

Sergio Aguero was an unused substitute at Old Trafford but should return to the final third of the field, meaning that Riyad Mahrez is expected to drop to the bench despite his goal against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva should both keep their spots in the XI, while Ilkay Gundogan is again expected to get the nod over David Silva in the middle of the park.

Benjamin Mendy and Nicolas Otamendi are also in line to keep their spots at the back despite John Stones and Oleksandr Zinchenko both being available following recent injuries.