Aston Villa welcome Manchester City to Villa Park for one of the standout Premier League fixtures of Matchweek 8, with both clubs arriving on the back of winning UEFA Champions League outings in midweek.

Villa's recent momentum

Unai Emery's side have steadily built form after an inconsistent beginning to the domestic season, going seven matches without a defeat heading into this clash. In Europe, Villa are thriving — a 3-1 home win against Viking, courtesy of goals from Ross Barkley, Emi Buendia, and an own goal, kept them perfect with three wins from three in the league phase.

Emery will, however, be without several key players. Amadou Onana remains sidelined with an ACL injury, Matteo Ruggeri is out with a thigh problem, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is nursing a hamstring issue. Summer addition Johan Manzambi and defender Modou Keba Cisse carry doubts over muscle and groin complaints respectively. Despite impressing against Viking, Alysson could make way on the right flank for captain John McGinn, with Boubacar Kamara and Joao Gomes expected to anchor central midfield.

City arrive unbeaten

Manchester City stand as the only undefeated team in the Premier League entering Matchweek 8, with manager Enzo Maresca yet to taste domestic defeat this term. Their midweek trip to AEK Athens ended in victory, though a number of senior players were rested ahead of this lunchtime showdown.

Erling Haaland is set to return to the starting line-up after being held back in Athens, joined by Rayan Cherki and Iliman Ndiaye, who were also rested. Nico O'Reilly, Mateo Kovacic, and Matheus Nunes are expected to return to the matchday squad after minor concerns following the Ipswich match, while Antoine Semenyo faces around eight weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.

A look at the bigger picture

The ongoing Premier League case against Manchester City continues in the background, though Maresca's squad are pressing on regardless, with no ruling on their appeal against the guilty verdict expected imminently. FourFourTwo predict a 1-3 victory for City, who have looked formidable throughout the early weeks of the campaign.

Kick-off at Villa Park is scheduled for 12:30pm BST.