Manchester City v Aston Villa

• 18:00 GMT on BT Sport 1
• Match odds:

Manchester City have the opportunity to return to the top of the Premier League, for a couple of hours at least, if they can secure victory over Aston Villa on Wednesday night. Pep Guardiola's men struggled at the start of the season but, rather worryingly for the other 19 teams, they look back to their best with new-found defensive security.

It may be new but an old face is hitting the headlines for his performances since a return to the team. John Stones netted twice in the win over Crystal Palace and is now a heavy odds-on to make the England squad for the Euros. He has formed a fine partnership with Ruben Dias at the back and this now holds equal importance to City as their star-studded attack.

Gone are the days it seems where City would score eight past an opponent in a league game. They are still winning games comfortably and with confidence, but the focus is now seemingly on ensuring the number on one side of the scoreboard is as low as it can possibly be.

They've kept five clean sheets in their last six outings in all competitions. That is why they are now in this position to move back to the top of the division. Against an Aston Villa side who haven't had their first team play a competitive fixture since New Year's Day, City will be hopeful of extending that run.