With confidence high after a winning start to the Steven Gerrard era, Aston Villa welcome Manchester City to Villa Park in the Premier League on Wednesday.

The Villans made it two wins from two with a 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace last weekend, although they will face a considerably tougher test against a City side in buoyant mood.

Since being condemned to a 2-0 home defeat by Palace themselves in October, Pep Guardiola’s men have embarked on a five-game winning run in all competitions, including a 2-1 triumph over PSG to seal their progression to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

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When is kick off? Wednesday 1 December, 20:15 (GMT)
Where is the match being played? Villa Park
TV channel/live stream? Amazon Prime Video (UK), Peacock (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports Football YouTube
Referee? Mike Dean
VAR? Kevin Friend

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Gerrard was boosted by return of midfielder Douglas Luiz in the victory over Palace at the weekend.

The injury list is looking leaner at just the right time in the season for the Villans, with Bertrand Traore (thigh) and Trezeguet (knee) the only absences for Gerrard’s side.

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Aymeric Laporte will miss out for Man City through suspension after an accumulation of yellow cards.

The trip to Villa Park is likely to come too soon for Kevin De Bruyne as he continues his recovery from COVID-19, but Jack Grealish and Phil Foden could return for Pep Guardiola.

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Aston Villa (4-3-3): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn; Bailey, Ings, Watkins.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Cancelo; Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo Silva; Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling.

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City have won 10 out of their last 11 meetings with Villa, winning their last seven in a row against the Villans with the loss of just three goals.

Guardiola’s men famously ran riot at Villa Park in 2019/20 when Sergio Aguero netted a hat-trick in a 6-1 win, although they were made to work for their victory last season when goals from Foden and Rodri cancelled out John McGinn’s early strike in a feisty encounter.

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Villa Park is set to be rocking with Gerrard having restored optimism around the club following the dismal end to Dean Smith’s tenure.

However, the control with which Guardiola’s side impose themselves in games should quieten the home crowd, and the quality in their attacking ranks should eventually take over.

Prediction: Aston Villa 0-2 Man City