The first domestic prize is up for grabs today as holders Manchester City will look to defend their title against underdogs Aston Villa.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have made this competition their own. In 2016/17, they lost in the last 16 to Manchester United but in the other two seasons, City have won the competition. They beat Arsenal 3-0 in 2018 and overcame Chelsea on penalties last year, a game best remembered for Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be substituted. There seems to be an inevitability with City and these type of competitions, that they will always win. This was illustrated again in the FA Cup final - a 6-0 demolition of Watford. Villa are a similar opponent to Watford and there can only be hope that today's game is a much closer affair.
Villa are struggling in the league, currently situated in the relegation zone. Their cup run has given them some relief from their Premier League problems but with an abysmal 2-0 loss to Southampton last weekend, Dean Smith claimed that certain players had played their way out of the final. That may have been in the heat of the moment straight after a disappointing defeat but realistically, it doesn't matter who Villa put out. They've lost both matches to City this season, the latest a 6-1 hammering, and there really is no hope for them.
Aymeric Laporte is a big miss for City, with Fernandinho having to play in defence in his place. If I was Dean Smith, I'd stick Mbwana Samatta on the Brazilian as he can easily win the aerial battle between the two. Orjan Nyland produced a magnificent display against Leicester in the semi final which got Villa to Wembley and with Pepe Reina so erratic against Southampton, Smith has a decision to make over who starts in goal. I'd play Nyland, personally.
Everything points to a Manchester City win but this is a cup final, a one off fixture, so anything can happen. Leicester and Liverpool have both suffered defeats to teams in the relegation zone this weekend so there is a possibility for Villa to replicate that. Jack Grealish has to be on form for Villa to have any chance. It does feel like City merely have to turn up, pass the ball about with a bit of urgency and they will win.
3-0 Manchester City.
Under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have made this competition their own. In 2016/17, they lost in the last 16 to Manchester United but in the other two seasons, City have won the competition. They beat Arsenal 3-0 in 2018 and overcame Chelsea on penalties last year, a game best remembered for Kepa Arrizabalaga refusing to be substituted. There seems to be an inevitability with City and these type of competitions, that they will always win. This was illustrated again in the FA Cup final - a 6-0 demolition of Watford. Villa are a similar opponent to Watford and there can only be hope that today's game is a much closer affair.
Villa are struggling in the league, currently situated in the relegation zone. Their cup run has given them some relief from their Premier League problems but with an abysmal 2-0 loss to Southampton last weekend, Dean Smith claimed that certain players had played their way out of the final. That may have been in the heat of the moment straight after a disappointing defeat but realistically, it doesn't matter who Villa put out. They've lost both matches to City this season, the latest a 6-1 hammering, and there really is no hope for them.
Aymeric Laporte is a big miss for City, with Fernandinho having to play in defence in his place. If I was Dean Smith, I'd stick Mbwana Samatta on the Brazilian as he can easily win the aerial battle between the two. Orjan Nyland produced a magnificent display against Leicester in the semi final which got Villa to Wembley and with Pepe Reina so erratic against Southampton, Smith has a decision to make over who starts in goal. I'd play Nyland, personally.
Everything points to a Manchester City win but this is a cup final, a one off fixture, so anything can happen. Leicester and Liverpool have both suffered defeats to teams in the relegation zone this weekend so there is a possibility for Villa to replicate that. Jack Grealish has to be on form for Villa to have any chance. It does feel like City merely have to turn up, pass the ball about with a bit of urgency and they will win.
3-0 Manchester City.
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