How Manchester City could line up against Aston Villa

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may only be working without one absent player for Sunday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium.

John Stones is expected to be out until March with the hamstring injury that he sustained in the FA Cup against Arsenal last month, but Phil Foden could recover from illness in time for the weekend.

Guardiola's bold selection calls did not pay dividends in a 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, where Kevin De Bruyne was left on the bench before being introduced on the 59-minute mark.

The Belgian playmaker will expect an immediate recall to the starting lineup here, most likely in place of Julian Alvarez as Guardiola tweaks his side's formation once more.

Riyad Mahrez - who was sacrificed for De Bruyne last weekend - provided the brightest spark for City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he should hold his place on the right, while Jack Grealish also provides support to Erling Braut Haaland against his former club.

Rodri may very well be the only member of the Citizens' engine room to keep their place, with Ilkay Gundogan pushing to come back in over Bernardo Silva, while alterations could be in order at the back as well.

Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Rico Lewis should not be in any danger of dropping out, but the latter may take up a more conventional right-back role in place of Kyle Walker, whose spot in the backline could be taken by Aymeric Laporte.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Laporte, Ake; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; Mahrez, Haaland, Grealish