Aston Villa will move into the top four if they claim a sixth successive Premier League victory on Tuesday.
However, Manchester City stand in their way at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola’s side also having the opportunity to leapfrog Newcastle United in the race for Champions League football.
Villa thrashed Newcastle 4-1 on Saturday, while City secured a 2-0 win at Everton — their third victory in four matches, having also beaten Leicester City and Crystal Palace either side of a goalless draw with Manchester United.
Both Villa and City are set to compete in the FA Cup semi-finals this coming weekend, but their immediate focus will be on Champions League qualification, with only four league games remaining after Tuesday.
Unai Emery will address the media on Monday afternoon and is expected to have a full squad available once again.
Emi Martinez is set to start in goal, possibly behind a back four of Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, and Lucas Digne.
Tyrone Mings was outstanding in handling Alexander Isak, but Emery has rotated between him and Torres. Digne’s experience could also see him preferred over Ian Maatsen, despite the Dutchman’s impressive performance against Newcastle.
Amadou Onana may be introduced into the double pivot alongside Boubacar Kamara, with Youri Tielemans expected to operate higher up in the number 10 role.
Morgan Rogers could feature on the right flank, leaving either Jacob Ramsey or John McGinn to play from the left.
Ollie Watkins was largely unplayable against Newcastle and could once again lead the line, even though Villa boss Emery has started Marcus Rashford in five of the club’s last seven matches.
Predicted Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Tielemans, Ramsey, Watkins.