Over recent matches, Manchester City have begun to resemble themselves at their best. They haven’t been the free-flowing side that we’ve been accustomed to seeing, but they have regained control of matches in recent weeks. The second half of their 5-2 win over Crystal Palace showed this. During their 2-nil win over Everton at Goodison Park, Pep Guardiola’s side were determined to control proceedings. They did that to a degree and picked up a vital three points against Everton.
How Pep Guardiola sets his team up for tonight’s match will be something to watch for before kickoff. Over City’s recent matches, we have seen Guardiola go back to what he knows and trusts. Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have all had key roles in City’s recent matches. Manchester City’s experienced players do offer control of the game and the know-how of what the City manager demands. It’s hard to see Guardiola deviating from this approach tonight against an Aston Villa side who pose a sizable threat on the break with their pace, athleticism and tremendous technical ability.
For that reason, it’s hard to see both Jeremy Doku and Savinho starting on the wings tonight. That’s not because they can’t play against Villa and thrive, it’s more that you expect Guardiola play to it safe to degree. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bernardo Silva deployed as he was against Everton. He knows what Guardiola demands and there is a sense that control will be the order of the day for Manchester City. Perhaps Jack Grealish could start tonight to help City control the tempo of tonight’s match. But that appears to be unlikely. Grealish hasn’t featured of late and it’s hard to see Guardiola starting him tonight.
Summary.
I believe Pep Guardiola will start with what he knows and trusts tonight at the Etihad. It has worked in recent weeks as Manchester City enter tonight’s pivotal fixture off the back of a six-game unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup will be something to watch for ahead of kickoff, but you do expect he’ll go with the players who have served him so well for so long, and it will be up to them to lift City to a crucial victory against a quality Aston Villa outfit.
Over recent matches, Manchester City have begun to resemble themselves at their best. They haven’t been the free-flowing side that we’ve been accustomed to seeing, but they have regained control of matches in recent weeks. The second half of their 5-2 win over Crystal Palace showed this. During their 2-nil win over Everton at Goodison Park, Pep Guardiola’s side were determined to control proceedings. They did that to a degree and picked up a vital three points against Everton.
How Pep Guardiola sets his team up for tonight’s match will be something to watch for before kickoff. Over City’s recent matches, we have seen Guardiola go back to what he knows and trusts. Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne have all had key roles in City’s recent matches. Manchester City’s experienced players do offer control of the game and the know-how of what the City manager demands. It’s hard to see Guardiola deviating from this approach tonight against an Aston Villa side who pose a sizable threat on the break with their pace, athleticism and tremendous technical ability.
For that reason, it’s hard to see both Jeremy Doku and Savinho starting on the wings tonight. That’s not because they can’t play against Villa and thrive, it’s more that you expect Guardiola play to it safe to degree. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Bernardo Silva deployed as he was against Everton. He knows what Guardiola demands and there is a sense that control will be the order of the day for Manchester City. Perhaps Jack Grealish could start tonight to help City control the tempo of tonight’s match. But that appears to be unlikely. Grealish hasn’t featured of late and it’s hard to see Guardiola starting him tonight.
Summary.
I believe Pep Guardiola will start with what he knows and trusts tonight at the Etihad. It has worked in recent weeks as Manchester City enter tonight’s pivotal fixture off the back of a six-game unbeaten run. Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup will be something to watch for ahead of kickoff, but you do expect he’ll go with the players who have served him so well for so long, and it will be up to them to lift City to a crucial victory against a quality Aston Villa outfit.
