Manchester City will be looking for their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday.

Manuel Pellegrini's side followed up last weekend's win over local rivals Manchester United with a 5-0 thrashing of Wigan Athletic in the League Cup on Tuesday evening.

Aston Villa secured their first Premier League victory in four attempts last Saturday when they defeated Norwich City at Carrow Road.

However, Paul Lambert's side were knocked out of the League Cup by Tottenham Hotspur in midweek following a 4-0 loss.

Villa striker Christian Benteke has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a hip injury so Libor Kozak, who scored the winning goal against Norwich, is expected to start in attack.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini has no fresh injury concerns and could name the same XI that beat Manchester United, with Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo starting up front.

Recent form

Aston Villa: WLLLW

Man City: WLWDW

Possible starting lineups

Aston Villa: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Okore, Luna; El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph; Agbonlahor, Kozak, Weimann

Man City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Kolarov; Navas, Toure, Fernandinho, Nasri; Aguero, Negredo

Sports Mole says: 1-3

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