Aston Villa head to the Etihad on Wednesday night hoping to spoil Manchester City’s Premier League title party.
Whilst a lot of spotlight will be on whether the title race takes another twist, Villa themselves need the points in their quest to secure fourth spot.
Unai Emery was aided by the fact that his team secured a deserved 2-0 win over Wolves on Saturday to boost their Champions League hopes.
But the showdown at Manchester City is going to be a different test altogether for these Aston Villa players.
Yes, injuries and suspensions don’t help, especially with Ollie Watkins going off at half-time over the weekend and now being a risk.
But this is Villa’s chance to stick their chest out and do the double over the Treble winners.
Gareth Barry has played for both sides of the fence during his career, including making an infamous move to Man City, before they went on their crazy trophy run, back in 2009.
The former midfielder warned Pep Guardiola’s side about the dangers of Villa and how it’s going to be a ‘tricky little game’, as he told Premier League Productions (31/03/24 at 7:15 pm).
Man City dropped points when they recorded a goalless draw against Arsenal on Sunday and Barry was turning his attention to what’s coming up next for the current champions.
Pep Guardiola v Unai Emery
“They are playing a team in-form and a great result (against Wolves),” said Barry.
“It’s going to be a tricky little game here in the week. I am expecting a tough game for Man City. They are going to have to get their players back ready and try to play at a high level again.”
How will Aston Villa set up?
Key players are missing for Emery, so in some cases, he is being forced to play more of an attacking XI.
But how will he set up against Man City? We went toe-to-toe with them in the reverse fixture, but we had the Villa Park crowd behind us.
You have just seen Arsenal, sit back and play for a goalless draw at the Etihad and they are Man City’s title rivals.
Whatever happens, a point would still suit us here, but you hope Emery goes for the win, unlike Mikel Arteta.
