Manchester City lineup vs. Aston Villa: Predicted XI for Premier League clash

Premier League champions Manchester City will again try to stop the rot on Saturday afternoon, when they visit Aston Villa in Birmingham, and embattled boss Pep Guardiola could make several changes to his first XI.

Following last week's dramatic defeat, City are likely to recall Rico Lewis - who has served a one-match ban - while Mateo Kovacic might be ready to feature in central midfield after appearing as a substitute in the Manchester derby.

Jack Grealish also made a cameo from the bench, but any hopes of starting at Villa Park - scene of his progression from Championship star to £100m player - are relatively slim. Even Matheus Nunes has been preferred on the left flank of late, and Jeremy Doku is favourite to fill that role this weekend.

Despite his subdued performances this season, Phil Foden is again set to join Kevin De Bruyne in supporting top scorer Erling Haaland, along with Portuguese playmaker Bernardo Silva.

City's long absence list has shortened a little over the past couple of weeks, with Kovacic and John Stones recently returning, and Manuel Akanji could now be involved following a layoff.

Furthermore, Lewis has returned from suspension to boost the visitors' back four, with an unspecified issue for Ederson making Stefan Ortega favourite to feature behind them.

Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake join Rodri and Oscar Bobb on the treatment table, but Guardiola's will still have plenty of talent to choose from.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ortega; Walker, Stones, Gvardiol, Lewis; Kovacic; Silva, De Bruyne, Foden, Doku; Haaland

> Click here to see how Aston Villa could line up for Saturday's Premier League contest