Manchester City vs Aston Villa preview: Fabian Delph comes up against former club for third time this season

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at the Etihad

Fabian Delph in action against Aston Villa earlier this season (Getty Images)

It’s a big game for…

Fabian Delph: The former Villa midfielder joined City last July, six days after saying he was staying on in the Midlands to captain the club. He's already come up against his former employers twice this season and will be hoping to recreate the form he showed in January's 4-0 FA Cup win at Villa Park.

Best stat…

10: Manchester City were favourites to win the league this season but are now ten points behind league leaders Leicester City, after failing to win any of their last three Premier League fixtures.

Remember when…

Earlier this year both teams were tied in the FA Cup, Man City won 4-0 and young Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanaco scored a hat-trick.

Player to watch…

Yaya Toure: The big Ivorian as received plenty of criticism for his below-par performances but put in an outstanding display against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup final. Toure must show similar heroics if City are to go on and win the league.

Past three-meetings…

Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 4 (Iheanaco 3, Sterling)
FA Cup, January 2016.

Aston Villa 0 Manchester City 0
Premier League, November 2015

Manchester City 3 (Aguero, Kolarov, Fernandinho) Aston Villa 2 (Cleverly, Sanchez)
Premier League, April 2015

Form guide…

Manchester City: LLWWL

Aston Villa: LWLLLL

Vital information…

Kick-off time: 15:00

TV: Highlights on BBC1 MOTD at 22:20