Pep Guardiola has made a host of changes to his Manchester City side for their clash at Aston Villa with Kyle Walker among those to be dropped as the right-back struggles for form
Pep Guardiola has made a host of changes to his Manchester City side for their clash at Aston Villa with Kyle Walker among those to be dropped as the right-back struggles for form Pep Guardiola has made a host of changes to his Manchester City side for their clash at Aston Villa with Kyle Walker among those to be dropped as the right-back struggles for form
Pep Guardiola claims he’s dropped Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne because of “the way Manchester City have to play”.
The City right-back has largely been a stalwart but has been overlooked for the trip to Aston Villa. Instead it looks as if Rico Lewis will take his spot in a back four that also includes Manuel Akanji, John Stones and Josko Gvardiol.
City’s performances have fallen off a cliff this season and they arrive at Villa Park having won just one of their last 11 games. Walker has been among those to particularly struggle and he now finds himself on a bench that also includes Jeremy Doku and De Bruyne.
Guardiola said on his team selection: “For the way we have to play I decided this line-up – simple as that.”
The Catalan added on their current situation: “The solution is winning games. A top match and try to do our patterns – we really believe and we will try to play better every game.”
City come into Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off following a devastating late loss in the Manchester derby. Guardiola saw his team concede twice in the final minutes as Manchester United completed a smash and grab at the Etihad.
Guardiola has made a mammoth six changes to his team and welcomes Jack Grealish back into the starting XI as the winger returns to his former club. He will be part of a front three that also includes Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.
City lost this fixture last term, which came at a time when Villa were setting a club-record winning run at their home stadium. Unai Emery’s side achieved an impressive top four finish and are now competing in the Champions League.
That is starting to impact of their domestic form and have won just two of their last eight in the Premier League. Last week they also conceded twice late on at Nottingham Forest. Despite that Villa have only lost once at home – that coming against Arsenal in the opening weeks of the season.
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