Aston Villa host the champions-elect Manchester City on Wednesday evening, as Dean Smith's side look to finish the season strong after a disappointing 2021. 

Manchester City will also want to bounce back after defeat to Leeds United and an FA Cup exit. 

Team News

Villa will be without their talisman and captain Jack Grealish for the ninth game in a row after the 25-year-old sustained a lower leg injury in mid-February. Trézéguet has been ruled out for the season after he suffered knee ligament damage in the defeat to Liverpool. Smith also reports Morgan Sanson has picked up a knee injury too. Long term injury concerns Wesley and Kortney Hause both started in Aston Villa's Premier League 2 fixture against Leeds on Friday. Hause is available for selection. 

Pep Guardiola confirmed on Monday that Kevin De Bruyne will miss the midweek fixture after suffering an injury to his right ankle in Saturday's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea. There is no other injury news in the City camp to report. 

Team Lineups 

 Aston Villa: Martinez, Targett, Mings, Konsa, Cash, Nakamba, McGinn, Luiz, El Ghazi, Watkins, Traore. 

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Dias, Zinchenko, Rodri, Bernardo, Gundogan, Foden, Jesus, Mahrez. 

Ones To Watch

Ollie Watkins is flying high at the moment after scoring on his debut for England. The 25-year-old is a tremendously hard worker and is relishing the opportunity in the top flight. The former Brentford forward has scored 12 goals in the Premier League and registered three assists.  

Smith also had some positive words to say about the forward: "He's been excellent, and I'm really pleased for him." 

As for Man City, Phill Foden has been exceptional under Pep this season. The 20-year-old has scored 13 goals and recorded nine assists in all competitions this year. He will also be on a high after scoring in City's Champions League tie versus Borussia Dortmund. Foden has blossomed as a player in recent years as he looks to follow in David Silva's footsteps. He's a brilliant passer of the ball but also has an eye for a goal too. The lad has a bright future.

A Word From The Managers

The Villa boss feels they will have their work cut out against Manchester City to match them: "We have to work extremely hard to match them. They're very good with and without the football."

As for Pep, he is focused on the upcoming games ahead: "Now it's Aston Villa  - we need ten points, and we need the first three. And then final of Carabao Cup and then semi-final versus PSG."

Where To Watch

The game will broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off at 20:15.