Manchester City vs. Aston Villa: Preview, TV schedule and how to watch online

Liverpool's incredible three-goal capitulation away at Crystal Palace on Tuesday has left them just a point clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. It means the Citizens will open up a two-point advantage if they beat Aston Villa at the Etihad on Wednesday, and will go top on goal difference if they're held to a surprising draw by the mid-table Villans.

It's a game City really ought to win, despite having rarely looked at their best over the second half of the season. Villa only guaranteed their safety from relegation with a victory at home to Hull City on the weekend, and so failing to pick up all three points would be a big disappointment for Manuel Pellegrini's men.

They only have striker Sergio Agüero out through injury, with Jesús Navas and Matija Nastasić having returned from their respective problems. Villa, meanwhile, have a whole host of problems, with the long-term injured trio of Christian Benteke, Libor Kozák and Jores Okore still out, and Gabriel Agbonlahor facing a late fitness test on a knee injury.

Out: Christian Benteke (achilles), Libor Kozák (broken leg), Jores Okore (knee), Chris Herd (personal reasons). In doubt: Gabriel Agbonlahor (knee), Joe Bennett (ankle).

Manchester City: Joe Hart; Aleksandar Kolarov, Martín Demichelis, Vincent Kompany, Pablo Zabaleta; Yaya Touré, Fernandinho; Samir Nasri, David Silva, James Milner; Edin Džeko.

Aston Villa: Brad Guzan; Ciaran Clark, Nathan Baker, Ron Vlaar, Matthew Lowton; Ryan Bertrand, Fabian Delph, Ashley Westwood, Marc Albrighton; Jordan Bowery, Andreas Weimann.