Aston Villa will look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City.The Villans have climbed up to 12th in the Premier League table, while they also beat Brighton to reach the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
After a slow start to the new campaign, Dean Smith's side look to have found their rhythm in the top flight. They have scored 12 goals in their last four matches, but they face a different challenge this weekend when they travel to Lancashire.
Pep Guardiola's City have lost just two of their last 13 in all competitions, and looked back to their best on Tuesday night when they beat Atalanta 5-1 in the Champions League.
City reduced Liverpool's lead at the top of the table to six points last weekend, and they will be confident of putting the pressure on the Reds, with Jurgen Klopp's side in action on Sunday.
While they have responded well after losing to Wolves earlier this month, there is still question marks over their defending and Villa will be hoping to take full advantage.
Guardiola could be without Oleksandr Zinchencko at the weekend after he suffered a knee injury during the win over Atalanta. Rodri was also forced off with a thigh issue, and the injuries are now racking up for City, with Leroy Sane and Aymeric Laporte out until next year.
On the other hand, Smith only has one injury worry, with attacking midfielder Jota still recovering from a hernia operation.
The head-to-head stats heavily favour City ahead of this weekend's battle with Villa last claiming a Premier League win at the Etihad in 2007.