Aston Villa risk five defeats in their first six top-flight games, something that was last seen in the 1986/87 season when the Birmingham side finished last. Manchester City have scored 19 goals in their first five games of the season, a club record.
Villa rookie Leander Dendonker has a sore throat but Jan Bednarek is ready to make his debut. Diego Carlos is absent with a torn Achilles.
Nathan Ake and Jack Grealish have returned to training with City’s first team. Calvin Phillips has a shoulder problem. Rookie Manuel Akanji is unlikely to be thrown into the scorcher straight away.
⚽ EPL | Aston Villa | ?️ 3 September 2022 ? 17:30 | ? Villa Park ? | referee Simon Hooper